THE ALAMO

Our History

ROOTED IN THE ALAMO. BUILT ON BROTHERHOOD. SHAPING TEXAS SINCE 1848

THE ALAMO CIRCA 1876 AND OUR FOUNDER, MAJOR JAMES HARVEY RALSTON

FREEMASONS WHO HELPED SHAPE TEXAS INTO THE LONE STAR STATE

Alamo Lodge No.44 holds the distinct honor of being the first and oldest Masonic lodge in San Antonio and Bexar County. Our Lodge was officially chartered by the Grand Lodge of Texas on January 15, 1848, and it was uniquely founded within the sacred walls of the historic Alamo, forever linking our legacy to the Shrine of Texas Liberty. Today, a commemorative plaque marks our founding on the south wall of the Long Barrack, honoring the Lodge’s profound place in Texas history.

FORMED IN A TIME OF TRANSITION

In the 1840s, as American troops returned from the Mexican War, the Alamo was repurposed by the U.S. Army’s Quartermaster Corps for storage and military supply operations. Major James Harvey Ralston, a prominent Freemason who had served alongside both Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas in the Illinois legislature, was assigned as quartermaster. Alongside other Masonic army officers and local citizens, Major Ralston spearheaded the formation of Alamo Masonic Lodge, establishing the original lodge room on the second floor of the Nun’s Quarters, also known as the Long Barracks.

BUILDING A LEGACY IN STONE AND SPIRIT

The Quartermaster Corps played a pivotal role in preserving the physical structure of the Alamo. They commissioned John H. Kampmann, a skilled German immigrant and builder, to restore the upper façade of the chapel, damaged years earlier during its fortification by General Cos. Kampmann later became a Brother of Alamo Lodge, and both he and his wife are interred in the Alamo Lodge Cemetery.

One of the Lodge’s most storied figures, Brother Benjamin Milam, led 300 volunteers in reclaiming the Alamo from General Cos in 1835, setting the stage for its place in the Texas Revolution.

HONORING THE SAVIOR OF THE ALAMO

In 1899, Clara Driscoll, a pioneering preservationist, began her crusade to save the Alamo from commercial development. Through tireless fundraising efforts and personal sacrifice, including covering expenses with her own funds, she secured the Alamo’s future. Her portrait, titled "Savior of the Alamo", hangs in the Texas Senate Chamber alongside Sam Houston. Clara Driscoll is buried in the Alamo Lodge Cemetery, a final resting place shared by numerous individuals tied to the legacy of Freemasonry in Texas.

LEADERS AMONG MASONS

Alamo Lodge No.44 is proud to have produced influential Masonic leaders, including James H. McLeary (Grand Master of Texas, 1881) and A. W. Houston (1914). The Lodge continues to uphold this tradition of leadership and civic engagement today.

MASONIC HEROES OF THE ALAMO

The Alamo’s defenders included many known Masons such as James B. Bonham, James Bowie, David Crockett, Almeron Dickinson, and William B. Travis, men whose valor continues to inspire generations.

According to The New Handbook of Texas, although Freemasons made up just 1% of the population of the Republic of Texas, they held over 80% of its highest offices, including all of its presidents, vice presidents, and secretaries of state. Freemasonry was not just present at the birth of Texas, it was foundational.

Present Day Alamo 44

A Brotherhood of Integrity, Faith, and Service

The membership of Alamo Lodge No.44 is made up of men from all walks of life, diverse in profession, background, and age, but united by a shared commitment to moral integrity, brotherhood, and personal growth.

We are an inclusive and welcoming lodge, where every man is respected and valued. Guided by a deep reverence for God, a devotion to moral principles, and a commitment to Masonic tradition, we work to improve ourselves, our families, and our communities.

In keeping with the ancient charge of the Craft, we believe in taking good men and helping them become even better through service, learning, and brotherly love.

As active members of the San Antonio community, we proudly engage in charitable initiatives, community outreach, and the preservation of timeless values.