Madison Lodge No. 23 F. & A.M. was established under dispensation from the Grand Lodge of California on May 4th 1852, and its permanent charter was issued on May 5th 1853. It held its first two meetings at the old Columbus School on the present site of Hennessy School, then moved to a wooden building on the south side of Main St. where it now meets Auburn St. That building was destroyed along with most of Grass Valley in the great fire of September 12 and 13, 1855. A few days later, the Masons met with the Odd Fellows to select a site for a new brick building to house both organizations at 110 Mill St. This building served as Madison’s home for nearly 73 years, until fire destroyed the Masonic portion of the building in December 1928. For the next nine years the Lodge met in the auditorium of the old Strand Theater at 161 Mill St. During this time, planning was completed for the present building, which held its first meeting on January 29, 1938. For 150 years, through good times and bad, seven wars, and a great depression, the Masonic spirit of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth continued through brethren of honorable men of all backgrounds, professions, and faiths.