04/27/2026
What does our Historian, Bro. Colton Hambrick, do when he doesn't have any immediate obligations? This evening, he found time to walk every aisle of Oak Grove Cemetery and record all tombstones bearing Masonic symbols. For those not from the Searcy area, Oak Grove Cemetery is one of the oldest cemeteries in White County, and the oldest surviving cemetery in the city. Most of our known Past Masters are buried here, so it is the first spot in which we should look when trying to rebuild our lost membership roster, c. 1852 – 1920.
For those unaware, Searcy Lodge No. 49 lost almost all of their records pre-1919 due to multiple fires and mishaps. Through the diligent research of our Past Master, Bro. Robert Alexander Ward, Jr. (a member of the first Lodge of Research) and Bro. Arthur Pryor Strother, Jr. (an early 20th century White County historian), primary knowledge from and/or interviews with of some of our oldest Past Masters, Bros. Buddy Phillips, Larry Berry, etc., and the current endeavors of Bro. Hambrick, we have made incredible strides in rebuilding our list of Past Masters, Past Officers, Funerals, Affiliations, Degrees, Full Membership Roster and Historic Events. Bro. Hambrick has expanded his scope to encompass all of White County, as much of Searcy's history overlaps into the surrounding towns. If you ever visit, please feel free to ask about our research.
ALSO, if you're free NEXT SATURDAY (May 2), please stop by our booth at the White County Pioneer Village where Bro. Hambrick will be presenting artifacts and history pertaining to the Masonic History of White County. Our Past Master and current Tyler, Bro. Tom Dunn, will also be present (in a separate area) as a living history volunteer! Give him a hello while you are there!
Historic preservation is alive and well here at Searcy Lodge No. 49!