Grand Lodge of Utah
The Grand Lodge of the State of Utah (GLoU) is the governing body of Freemasonry in the State of Utah. The Grand Lodge is over 135 years old, having been founded January 16th, 1872. It is located at 650 East South Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah 84102.
History
Utah's first Lodge
Freemasonry made its first organized appearance in Utah during the winter of 1858 when twenty-three officers and men of Johnston's Army, sent to quell the reported "rebellion of Mormons", sought fraternal fellowship at their outpost of Camp Floyd near Fairfield, called "Frogtown.". When it was announced a Masonic Lodge was to be formed, applications were numerous. Consequently, 162 candidates became Masons, a record unequaled in Utah within the same time-frame. Following Masonic custom, the lodge spent considerable money helping destitute migrants who were passing through Utah to western destinations. The effort was significant considering the army pay at that time. All Masonic activity and enthusiasm ceased with the uncertainty of the times, including the impending Civil War and Indian problems. Camp Floyd (renamed Fort Crittenden when Secretary of War John B. Floyd joined the Confederacy) was disbanded and everything sold to Utahns at a fraction of cost. Realizing the imminence of decampment, the lodge surrendered its charter in July 1861, three months after the Civil War started. Thus ended Utah's first Masonic Lodge, Rocky Mountain No. 205, Missouri registry.