History of Watseka Lodge

The first Masonic Lodge in Iroquois County, Illinois was organized in Middleport, also known as West Watseka, in 1850.  This lodge was chartered as Iroquois Lodge No. 83 AF & AM.  The charter of this lodge was surrendered in favor of a new lodge which was chartered as Iroquois Lodge No. 289 on October 7th, 1857.  This lodge existed until the present lodge was chartered on October 4th, 1865 as Watseka Lodge No. 446 AF&AM.

We do not know the date that the lodge was moved from Middleport to the location at Walnut and Fourth Streets in Watseka.  We are told this lodge suffered a fire loss of unknown extent in November of 1895.

On March 25th, 1984 the Lodge Hall at Walnut and North Fourth Streets in Watseka was totally destroyed by fire.  The present location was purchased on April 1st, 1985.  Watseka Lodge #446 has had over 850 members join since 1865 and currently has a membership of approximately 90 individuals.