Among the enduring institutions of Twinsburg should be mentioned the “Old Masonic Lodge” which for over half a century has contributed to the fraternal spirit of its many loyal members.
In the early fifties (1850's) a dispensation was granted to a certain few Freemasons who held memberships in lodges of the New England States and, having come as pioneers to Twinsburg, desired to form a new lodge here. These brethren after holding meetings under dispensation for some time applied for a charter of the Grand Lodge. In 1856 a charter was granted them with the following Twinsburg pioneers as charter members: S. A. Andrews, G. H. Alling, W.Crankshaw, Silas Oviatt, Solon S. Lacy, Hector Taylor, W. H. Andrews, Henry Boswell, John Dodge and Eli Thompson.
This lodge obtained suitable rooms in the old cheese storage house situated on the Cleveland Road on the lot now occupied by the present town hall. The lower rooms were used to store cheese which was undergoing the ripening process. The upper hall was for the freemasons and many strange stories have been told by outsiders of the mysterious events which often occurred in that old Masonic hall.
In 1866 the hall was destroyed by fire and but for M. O’Neal all books, jewels, charter and Bible, recently presented by the ladies, would have been lost. These were taken by him to the home now occupied by Mr. and Mrs. W.C. Prentiss where they were kept until the new hall was built which was completed the same fall. The new hall is the present “Old Masonic Hall” on the southeast corner of the park. It was formerly the residence of Harrison Dunshee from whom it was purchased. An addition of 24 feet was built to it and it has been used ever since for lodge purposes.
The early fifties (1850's) found many chapter Masons in this locality and soon a charter was granted which was dated 1857 and a thriving chapter soon was working. These members also contributed to the erection of the new Masonic Hall and were given a third interest in it by so doing.
The charter members of this chapter which was Summit No. 74 were as follows: S. A. Andrews, A. W. Clark, A. Mills, J. W. Dodge, E. C. Holmes, O. Riley, S. Bryum, Wm. H. Andrews, A. Ingersoll, G. H. Alling.
As of 1917, changes in jurisdiction of the chapter lodges necessitated the removal of this chapter some years later to Bedford. The Blue Lodge still remained at Twinsburg where is has always been found actively fulfilling its mission to those “who seek.”
The present membership of fifty-four speaks highly of the consideration that is given Masonry in so small a jurisdiction as is commonly found in the present system of cutting down size of jurisdictions by chartering new lodges. This sketch would not be complete without reference to the names of a few “Brothers” who have given years of loyal support to “Old Summit.” In this relationship we mention A. P. Clark, S. A. Andrews, J. T. Hempstead, E. A. Parmelee, J. D. Scoutten, N. A. Chapman, Oliver Roniger.1
Summit Lodge, No. 213, F. & A. M. celebrated its centennial in 1951 and is the oldest fraternal order in Twinsburg. The charter members of the Lodge included John W. Dodge, Samuel A. Andrews, G. H. Alling, William Crankshaw, Silas Oviatt, Solon Lacy, Hector Taylor, William H. Andrews, Eli Thompson and Henry Boswell. Their names read like a roll call of the pioneers of Twinsburg, and several succeeding generations have followed in membership from some of these families.
Their first meeting place was the second floor of the old cheese storage building located on the site of the present Village Hall, and when this burned in 1855, the second meeting place was the Alling Hall which burned in 1866. Following this the Lodge purchased the Dunshee property at the SE corner of the Square and met there from 1867 to 1957, some 90 years in the same building. In 1958 the Lodge moved to its present building located at 9545 Shepard Road at the intersection of Ledge Road.
The old building was so close to the highway that it was subject to many traffic hazards, not only noise and lack of parking, but also being damaged by vehicles. The final blow occurred when a large tractor-trailer ran into the side of the hall from Aurora Road and almost into the basement. The Lodge building was sold in 1957 and the new owner moved it back from the highway and thereafter had it razed.
The present building is a modern structure with meeting room, social hall, kitchen and club rooms.2
1) "Twinsburg, Ohio, 1817 – 1917", The Samuel Bissell Memorial Library Association of Twinsburg, 1917
2) "History of Twinsburg" , Twinsburg Historical Society, pg 43-44, 1967