http:\/\/statesvilledemolay.com\/index.php\/what-is-demolay\/<\/a><\/p>\n Looking around Cramerton NC, which is a much smaller town, I couldn’t help but notice there is a Masonic lodge right across the street from the fire department and a block from city hall. <\/p>\n One thing Statesville and Cramerton share is they are located on important railroad lines. Cramerton was a textile mill “company town” located on the Catawba River where it was crossed by the Southern Railroad. These days, it is a suburban commuter enclave filling up with subdivisions oblivious to the history of the town, just enjoying the pubs with their great selection of craft beers.<\/p>\n That got me wondering if Freemasons are here because they played a role in Reconstruction after the Civil War. Here is an interesting article, including the little detail that Andrew Johnson, who became President after Lincoln was assisinated, was a Freemason.<\/p>\n Freemasonry during Reconstruction<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" One of the things that puzzled me upon moving to the South in 1970 was the presence of a Masonic lodge right next door to city hall in Statesville, NC. Given the religious nature of the South, it seemed anachronistic, … Continue reading ![\"image\"](\"http:\/\/streamingradioguide.com\/startingover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/image-10-600x435.jpeg\")
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