02/24/2026
We want to thank Mayor JB Whitten of the City of Crestview for doing the Proclamation for Concord Lodge #50 on January 24, recognizing Concord's 140th anniversary in the Crestview area.
Historical Overview: Concord Lodge No. 50
Founded: 1884 (Chartered 1886) by Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of Florida
Location: Crestview, Florida
A Legacy Older Than the City Itself:
Concord Lodge No. 50 has served the Crestview community for more than 140 years. Established before the City of Crestview was incorporated, and even before Okaloosa County was formed, our Lodge began in 1884 under dispensation in what was then Walton County.
What was known as “Crestview Station” was little more than a railroad village when John W. Baggett and a small group of Masons organized the Lodge. Their purpose was clear and enduring: to bring structure, fellowship, and moral leadership to a growing frontier community.
Today, Concord Lodge No. 50 remains the oldest continuously operating institution in Crestview. In the broader two-county region of Okaloosa and Walton, only two active congregations/establishments predate our founding: Euchee Valley Presbyterian Church (est. 1827, southeast of DeFuniak Springs) and Yellow River Baptist Church (est. 1840, Laurel Hill area).
Resilience and Service:
From the beginning, the Lodge has been closely connected to the community's life. Our first building near the City Cemetery was more than a meeting hall; it also served as Crestview’s first public school and a gathering place for local missions.
When that original structure was destroyed by fire in December 1916, the Brethren did not falter. Meetings continued in the Grand Jury Room and later in the Royal Arch Building. The work of the Lodge carried on uninterrupted.
Through the Decades
• 1884 – First meetings held under dispensation.
• 1886 – Charter granted by the Grand Lodge of Florida.
• 1919–1990 – Seventy-one years at the historic Main Street location.
• 1990–Present – Serving the community from our home on Garden Street.
Continuing the Work:
For over a century, Concord Lodge No. 50 has promoted education, civic responsibility, and the moral development of its members. Our history is not simply about longevity - it is about steady service and quiet leadership.
If you are a man of good character seeking fellowship, purpose, and a place to serve your community, we invite you to learn more about Concord Lodge No. 50.
For more than 140 years, good men have stepped forward to carry this work forward. The next chapter is still being written. If you are ready to stand where they stood and help build what comes next, contact Concord Lodge No. 50 and begin your journey
