San Saba Freemasons Celebrate Public Education Week

  • Jake Lackey, Ian Merriman and Andor present pencils and bookmarks to San Saba Elementary student Hudson Turner.
    Jake Lackey, Ian Merriman and Andor present pencils and bookmarks to San Saba Elementary student Hudson Turner.
  • John Rhoades presenting school supplies to a Cherokee school representative.
    John Rhoades presenting school supplies to a Cherokee school representative.
  • Frank Pearce presenting school supplies to a Richland Springs school representative.
    Frank Pearce presenting school supplies to a Richland Springs school representative.

    The first week of March is traditionally celebrated in Texas as “Public Education Week.” This week also coincides with the commemoration of Texas declaring its independence from Mexico in 1836. Naturally, Texas education and Texas Independence have deep ties to Freemasons. Many of the early Texas heroes were Masons, names like Sam Houston, Anson Jones, Lorenzo De Zavala, James Fannin, Antonio Navarro, William B. Travis, and Davey Crockett just to name a few.

    Shortly after Texas became its own country, Mirabeau Lamar, who was the second elected president of Texas, after Sam Houston, (both Freemason’s) addressed congress for appropriation of land to support public schools. At his urging, congress passed the act in January of 1839 and set aside land for public schools and two universities. Although many years passed before the public school system was established, Lamar’s vision earned him the title of “Father of Texas Education.” It is with this spirit that the San Saba’s Masonic Lodge contributes school supplies to ALL three public schools in the county along with scholarships awarded to a deserving senior from San Saba, Cherokee and Richland Springs high schools in May.