This settlement began when Noah Smithwick built a water mill here in 1855. He moved to California in 1861, but the mill continued in operation. A. M. Cox erected this building in 1874. Minister Henry Thomas moved the lodge, chartered June 15, 1865, from Turkey Bend, Texas, to this place in 1876. A store occupied the lower floor. The lodge obtained the upper story at the death of Mr. Cox through his will, and F. P. Lewis gave the lower story in 1952.