ODENTON, MD — On Thursday, a historic marker was revealed at the former site of Odenton’s initial Freemason lodge, highlighting the cultural and architectural importance of this 113-year-old structure.
The local Masons constructed the two-story structure at 1367 Odenton Road in 1912 using the Colonial Revival architectural style. This Masonic Temple functioned as the gathering spot for Odenton Lodge 209 up until 2001, and it received recognition when it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2022.
Freemasonry began as an secretive group for stoneworkers but evolved into a charitable body focused on cultivating men’s characters.
The Odenton lodge was built during the rapid expansion of the town, which occurred due to the construction of railway intersections from the mid-1800s through the early 1900s.
“Odenton stands as a gem within Anne Arundel County. Being one of our earliest settlements, the rich history found here is truly remarkable,” stated District 4 County Council Member Julie Hummer during the unveiling ceremony.
In 1840, the Annapolis & Elk Ridge Railroad was established, introducing the initial set of rails into the area and providing an east-west link through central Maryland. The pathways that once ran beneath Piney Orchard Parkway, now covered with pavement between Walgreens and the library, were leftovers from this railway.
In 1872, the Baltimore & Potomac Railroad came into existence alongside what are now Amtrak routes, crossing paths with the pre-existing railway at the present-day Odenton Train Station.
The initial intersection helped establish Odenton, which was christened after Baltimore & Potomac Railroad President and Maryland Governor Oden Bowie, for whom the city of Bowie is also named.
The Washington, Baltimore & Annapolis Electric Railway was launched in 1908, running along what is now known as Telegraph Road.
The brick structure still intact at the intersection of contemporary Telegraph and Annapolis Roads functioned as the railway’s switching station. This location acted as a departure spot for those traveling to the state capitol, leading to the nickname Naval Academy Junction, which inspired the name of the Academy Junction retail complex currently home to Lime and Salt.
General stores appeared at the intersection. In 1905, the three-story Murray’s Hotel was established where the current Walgreens stands. This lodging facility, which included an eatery and dance hall, catered to tourists and railway employees until it was destroyed by fire in 1923.
The closeness to several railways was instrumental in the founding of the nearby Fort George G. Meade in 1917.
From the 1930s through the 1950s, the town boasted a semi-professional baseball team. This team would play doubleheaders every Sunday at a modest stadium located at the southwestern intersection of present-day Piney Orchard Parkway and Odenton Road.
The WB&A Electric Railway ceased operations in 1935 and was ultimately transformed into the WB&A trail, which follows alongside Piney Orchard Parkway.
The town maintained its railway heritage through the Baltimore & Potomac Railroad, which later evolved into the Pennsylvania Railroad and now operates as the current MARC train lines.
“History isn’t merely what we encounter in textbooks or discover in museums,” stated Greg Mazzella, the first vice president of the Odenton Heritage Society. “It’s embedded within the essence of our daily existence.” He continued, emphasizing, “We find history in every step along familiar roads, past the structures where life unfolds day-to-day, and preserved deeply within cherished customs.”
The Odenton Heritage Society
formed in 1989
.
By 1994, OHS had acquired the original Citizens State Bank, the community’s inaugural banking institution, which operated from 1917 until 1966 beside where the present-day Odenton Train Station stands; this station was built in 1943.
Currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this former bank now functions as a coffee shop featuring various artifacts. The state of Maryland is presently leasing it with intentions to convert it into a ticket booth during an upcoming station renovation aimed at enhancing the area.
apartments and shops
towards the western parking area.
In 2001, OHS took over ownership of both the Old Masonic Hall and the Old Bethel Church, constructed in 1923 at 433 Waco Avenue. This stony edifice previously functioned as the community’s initial public library during the 1960s; now, it has been restored to serve as a place of worship for the Unity Tabernacle of Restoration.
The OHS currently manages the Old Masonic Temple as a community history museum, which is accessible on the initial Sunday of each month between 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM. Entry is complimentary.
We feel fortunate to have the Odenton Heritage Society, which has been safeguarding the railway history and the story of the Odenton community for such a lengthy period,” Hummer stated. “I wish to express my gratitude to them for their efforts.
Since the 1930s, the Maryland Department of Transportation, working alongside the Maryland Historical Trust, has installed historic markers along the state’s roadways. This particular plaque marks the second one dedicated to a Masonic lodge.
The Masons currently gather at a location one mile away, situated at 1206 Stehlik Drive. They remain engaged in various community service activities.
For centuries, Freemasonry has aimed to transform decent individuals into finer ones,” stated Ethan Casey, Master of Lodge 209. “In modern times, we strive to improve our surroundings by preparing meals for fire fighters, aiding the nearby homeless population, awarding scholarships to deserving high schoolers, contributing to Toys for Tots initiatives, and hosting an annual trunk-or-treat event.
Visit
odentonheritage.org
To discover more about the town’s past, head over to
odentonlodge209.net
For additional information about the Freemasons.
Related:
- 900 Residential Units Potentially Available Near Odenton MARC Train Station
- Odenton Train Station, Crownsville Hospital Obtain Funds for Development Initiatives
- A New Park in Expanding Anne Arundel County Town Center Aims for Public Input as Design Nears Completion
- New Mixed-Use Development, Parking Garage Expected Near Anne Arundel County Train Station
- More Pledges MARC Train Funding, Chooses Commuter Transit Over High-Speed Rails
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Historical Plaque Commemorates Odenton’s 113-Year-Old Masonic Temple
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