Hempstead - Waller Masonic Lodges Joint Fund Raiser

The Liendo Civil War Reenactment,
A Real Texas Style Money Maker

In a Small Town Texas Lodge like the Waller Masonic Lodge where we have less then 100 members, Fundraisers have to be a way of life for the Lodge. With Endowed Memberships and 50 year members exemptions the annual dues bring in just less then 65% of the funds needed just to operate the Lodge. Therefore additional sources of income must be found, not only to help operate the Lodge, but to support Masonic and local charities.

Hempstead and Waller Lodges join together in November to sell food at the Liendo Plantation Civil War Reenactment near Hempstead, Texas. The 2002 show had very good weather, though a little nippy early in the morning and late in the evening. We sold bar-b-que brisket sandwiches, stuffed baked potatoes, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, candy bars and peach cobbler with Blue Bell ice cream. We also had chips and drinks.

Liendo Plantation

Built in 1853 by Leonard Waller Groce, the land was purchased from an original Spanish land grant of 67,000 acres assigned to Justo Liendo, the plantation's namesake. One of Texas' earliest cotton plantations, Liendo was the social center of Texas receiving and lavishly entertaining early Texas dignitaries. A typical Southron plantation, Liendo was self-sufficient, and was entirely built by skilled slave laborers including brick and stone masons, carpenters, and smiths.

During the War Between the States, the plantation hosted two training camps on it's grounds. Camp Groce for Infantry, and Camp Carter for Cavalry. Many of the Regiments who attend this Reenactment weekend, had their historical beginnings here. The plantation grounds also included an interment camp, and a hospital.

After the war George Armstrong Custer was stationed at Liendo, his wife joining him soon after his arrival. Under orders to burn it when he left, Custer disobeyed, most likely, in appreciation for the gracious hospitality which he, and his wife, had received.

CLICK  ON  PICTURES  TO  ENLARGE

	Waiting for the enemy to get within range.
	The battle rages with the artillery firing.
	Looking down the 'Midway' from our site.
	John and Bob cooking hamburgers and getting ready to start selling them.
	Our next door neighbor who sells foot long corn dogs, cotton candy and snow cones.
	This was our food booth looking at it from the front
	On Saturday the line waiting for food looked just like this for three straight hours.