A PART OF . . . WYOMING HISTORY

INDEPENDENCE ROCK, also known as "The Register of the Plains," The Great Record of the Desert is located on the Sweetwater River midway between Casper, Wyoming on the north and Rawlins, Wyoming on the south. Thousands of names are inscribed on its granite face, Bonneville, Fremont, Father DeSmet and Brigham Young are among some of the illustrious men in history who have carved their names as they stopped to rest. The Rock was known and named before 1830 by hunters, trappers, and adventurers.

On July 4, 1862, a wagon train headed for Washington and Oregon encamped on this spot. Out of this wagon train approximately 20 Masons, who could mutually vouch for each other, traversed to the top of the Rock to hold the first tyled Masonic Communication in what is now Wyoming. The Worshipful Master was Asa L. Brown, who later became M.W. Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Washington Territory in 1864. When Edgar P. Snow was installed the first M.W. Grand Master of Wyoming Territory in 1874, M.W. Brother Brown returned the Bible, Officerjewels, and the Square and Compasses (theJewels and Square and Compasses were made of cardboard from a box) to the Grand Lodge of Wyoming. Alfred J. Mokler, Grand Historian (1922-1952) instigated the first commemorative communication held at Independence Rock - July 4, 1920. August 27,1939, the Grand Lodge of Wyoming passed a Standing Resolution stating that an anniversary communication should be held every ten years. This was accordingly done every ten years, with the exception of 1960, which was postponed until 1962 commemorating 100 years. In keeping with this, as well as helping to celebrate Wyoming's Statehood Centennial, the Grand Master of Wyoming, Earl Christensen, again celebrated this anniversary. He led a Wagon Train on July 3, 1990 to this site where they circled. At the site of the Wagon Train there was evening entertainment and general activities in the vein of the 1890's for Masons, their families, and friends. Except for the tyled meeting, Masons and nonmasons participated in all activities. July 4, 1990, Wyoming Job's Daughters conducted a Bethel Meeting at 10:00 AM at the base of Independence Rock. Grand Lodge opened at 12:00 noon for a commerative meeting atop Independence Rock.

Cachet Cover Commerating the 1990 Meeting