Highland Lodge # 184 is the longest operating Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons in Baltimore, Maryland. The Lodge began meeting in 1890 and has been meeting continually since. While many other lodges in Baltimore City moved out to the county over the years, the brothers of Highland Lodge have stayed true to the city.
In the year 1889, thirteen Master Masons residing in Highlandtown and Canton experienced a desire to form a Masonic Lodge in Highlandtown, Baltimore, Maryland. With this thought in mind, Brothers petitioned the Grand Master, Thomas J. Shryock for a dispensation to form a Lodge in Highlandtown. Dispensation was granted October 16, 1889, and charter was granted to Highland Lodge No. 184, A. F. A. M. on May 14, 1890.
Here the Lodge met until the fall of 1893 when it was deemed advisable to seek a larger meeting place. A committee was appointed and recommended the rending of a loft over the carriage house of Brother John Hiltz Sr., of Waverly Lodge No. 152.
Whether this was a move for better or worse must have been a matter of personal opinion. Entrance to the Lodge Room was by means of an unprotected outside stairway, which when covered with sleet and ice presented a very dangerous means of ascent. The Lodge suggested to the landlord the installation of a covered stairway, which was done, after which time entrance to the Lodge Room was through the carriage drive to the stairway located at the west end of the building.
The heating plant was a furnace located on the first floor of the building, and due to the lack of storage facilities, fuel could only be purchased in small quantities. It was the duty of some members to report early in order to light the fire and get the Lodge Room warm in time for the meeting. This was not always as simple as one might suppose, as one of our members, on the night of his initiation, had to repair the furnace before the room could be made comfortable.
There was evidently little or no heat in the anteroom because it is reported on good authority that the Tyler often performed his duty wearing his overcoat and gloves. It is also recorded that in the summer of 1896 the Lodge omitted one meeting, there being no quorum present: perhaps due to intense heat and inadequate ventilation.
Baltimore Residents were accepted into the Lodge which, by the year 1912 had grown to 253 members; quite a contrast to its very early days, when it was sometimes necessary for a brother to be excused from the meeting to gather a sufficient number of brethren to confer the work.
On June 10, 1903, the Lodge held a fair at Highland Academy, Eastern Avenue near Conkling Street. The enthusiasm of the committee and members in arranging and conducting this event resulted in a net profit to the Lodge of $2,142.41. With money from this fund, Highland Lodge acquired its Temple by purchasing the carriage house for $1,800 in fee, on October 4, 1903.
A steady increase in membership during the next few years again stressed the necessity for a larger meeting place. A committee was appointed, which surveyed several sites; but after due consideration, it was decided to raze the Temple and the adjoining building, and erect the new Temple on that site.
Erection of the new Temple was begun in the spring of 1913. During the building operations, meetings were held in the Tuscan Room of the Masonic Temple on Charles Street. The first meeting of Highland Lodge in the new Temple was held on December 10, 1913, which was dedicated on January 14, 1914, with appropriate ceremonies.
In the year 1940, Highland Lodge celebrated fifty years enjoying steady and healthy growth, with a membership of 842 it had the distinction of being the largest lodge in the Grand Jurisdiction of Maryland.
During the following fifty years Highland showed a steady emphasis on ritual while experiencing a decrease in membership. The core of Highland grew strong with dedicated officers. The membership regularly attended Grand Lodge functions with record turnout. Several industrious members with a strong sense of duty to the future security of Highland and philanthropy began to plan fiscally. Thanks to their efforts Highland was placed in a position of financial stability.
In the 124th year, Highland found itself poised to make big decisions. With membership numbers declining and the Temple in a state of disrepair, the membership began to research options. After much consideration, it was determined that a move was necessary. What was important to the members was that Highland always be a Baltimore City Lodge.
In 2015, the Brethren of Highland Lodge decided to move temporarily to the Scottish Rite Temple on North Charles Street while the building underwent some needed repairs and received a facelift.
But the desire to return home to Highlandtown was always on the forefront of the Brothers’ minds. In 2018, the restoration project was deemed to have progressed adequately enough on the building to allow the Brethren to return to Highland Temple. and continue our craft in our beloved home. Work continued through 2020, wherein the building become the beautiful structure that we know and love today at a rededication ceremony overseen by the Most Worshipful Grand Master from the Grand Lodge of Maryland.
Highland Lodge #184 has flourished for well over a century due to a strong commitment to the tenants of the great institution of Freemasonry. The lodge and community have benefited greatly from a continuing tradition of industrious leaders. The Brothers of Highland have chosen to never forget the discipline and dedication the forefathers exhibited in order to hand the Fraternity down through the centuries, the founders who established this lodge with perseverance, and the insightful members who laid the foundation for future endeavors with wise investments. Highland has never been without spirited and adventurous members. This is a very exciting time for Highland. The future is bright as Highland continues to spread the Light with the greatest Fraternity the world has ever known.