Velasco Lodge No. 757, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, became part of Brazoria County history when it received a charter from the Grand Lodge of Texas on December 8, 1893, with R. E. Murrell serving as first Worshipful Master. Its first lodge hall, near the mouth of the Brazos River in the Velasco townsite, was severely damaged by the disastrous Gulf coast hurricane of 1900. For many years afterward, the Masons met in several nearby locations, including a lumberyard building owned by J. T. Dingle and the Velasco schoolhouse. From 1911 to 1922 the lodge rented the Velasco hotel's powerhouse building from E. D. Dorchester, and in 1922 the Freeport Sulphur Company donated land in downtown Freeport. A two-story hall was built at Broad Street and Park Avenue and served the lodge until a new facility was built at this site in 1979. Over the years, Velasco Lodge has taken part in many civic and philanthropic efforts, including laying establishment stones on public buildings and supporting educational activities.