History of Pleasant View Lodge
From whence we came...
In the year 1852, the State of Indiana had been a member of the Union for the brief period of thirty-six years. The city of Indianapolis was a town of some 8,000 people and the roads of the county were being planned and laid out.
The railroad was a new means of transportation but those who traveled did so mostly by horse and horse drawn wagons. To accommodate such travel a few important roads were being built throughout the country. One of these highways was the Old Michigan Road. This main north-south route extended from Madison to the northwest corner of the State. In the area where this Michigan Road crossed the Marion-Shelby County line a few miles southeast of Indianapolis, lay the prosperous village of Pleasant View. In 1852, it was a growing community on an important stage line and contained several industries and businesses as well as a number of homes. It was here in this town that Pleasant Lodge had its beginning.
The date of the Charter was May 26, 1852 and for seven years the lodge met in the Isaac Larrison home in Pleasant View. These were the days of building the railroads and when their rails were laid a short distance to the south, the Lodge was moved to the new community of Farmersville, now called Acton. This was the year of 1859.
Fire destroyed the Lodge building on Sept. 19, 1873 along with the Lodge equipment and the Masonic records. During the following months, the Brothers met in the school at Acton, while work was being carried forward on a new brick Lodge Hall. At the beginning it was estimated that the new building would cost $5,300 but the contract was let and the building was completed for $4,000. The bricks purchased cost the Brothers $1.75 per 1000, while a well sunk in front of the Hall was put down for the magnificent sum of $26.70. This cost included labor, brick, pump and everything complete.
With increased membership and the need for more room, a new Lodge Temple was built at 7525 Acton Road at a cost of $65,165.78. The Temple was dedicated on May 8, 1954 with the Grand Officers present.
Pleasant Lodge members are involved charity work in many ways and one of their largest responsibilities is the support of the Indiana Masonic Home at Franklin, Indiana.
The teachings of Masonry stress the importance of Brotherly Love, Relief ant Truth. We live in times when such teachings are needed throughout the world.