Arkansas

Arkansas. The first lodge instituted in Arkansas was Arkansas Lodge, under dispensation from Kentucky in 1819, and chartered in 1820, but it surrendered its charter in 1822. The Grand Lodge was organized Nov. 21, 1838 by Washington Lodge, chartered from Tennessee, Morning Star Lodge and Western Star Lodge both chartered from Louisiana, and Mt. Horeb Lodge from Alabama. Very few details of its early history are available because the records were twice (comments removed), in 1864 and 1876. The first chapter of Royal Arch Masons was chartered by the General Grand Chapter in 1841. This and three others organized the Grand Chapter of Arkansas in 1851. In 1853, Albert Pike was elected Grand High Priest and is supposed to have originated or modified the ritual, which differs from that used in other states. The Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters was formed Nov. 6, 1860 by four councils which had been established by the Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite for the Southern Jurisdiction. That Grand Council surrendered the degrees to the Royal Arch in 1878 but resumed control in 1881. Commandery No. 1 Knights Templar was formed in 1853 and the Grand Commandery of Arkansas was formed May 23, 1872. In 1891 and 1892, the Scottish Rite bodies were organized at Little Rock.

There were 343 lodges with 38,929 members in 1990.