Plant City’s Oldest Masonic Lodge Reflects on Its Past and Looks Ahead.
As Olin S. Wright Lodge No. 79 celebrates its 150th anniversary, members are reflecting on a century and a half of history while looking toward the future of one of Plant City’s longest standing civic organizations.
Originally chartered as Ebenezer Lodge No. 79 on Jan. 13, 1876, the lodge first met in 1875 at Shearhouse’s Mill near present day Kathleen. Over the years, it relocated to Shiloh before moving to the growing community of Plant City, where it became known as Plant City Lodge No. 79. In 1925, the lodge was renamed Olin S. Wright Lodge No. 79 in honor of Past Master Olin Seymour Wright. Since then, it has occupied several locations throughout the city, most recently moving in 2021 to the Zendah Grotto Building on West Mahoney Street after selling its longtime lodge on Acacia Street.
For members, reaching the 150-year milestone is less about looking back than looking ahead. While many lodges and civic organizations have struggled with declining membership or financial challenges over the decades, Olin S. Wright Lodge has remained active through a dedicated core of members committed to preserving its traditions and ensuring its future…