Orient History
The story of the genesis of Scottish Rite Masonry in Arkansas is the story of Ill. Bro Albert Pike.
Brother Pike wrote Ill Secretary General Albert Mackey on July 8th 1857 stating he had “conferred the 11 degrees of the Lodge of Perfection on the most intelligent we have, and on September 1st I plan to go through with it.” Following the conferral of the Lodge of Perfection Degrees on May 22, 1857 Bro Pike instituted Acacia Lodge of Perfection in Little Rock. One of the particularly interesting things about this letter indicates that these Arkansans were some of, if not THE first to receive the revised rituals as laid out by brother Pike in his seminal work “Magnum Opus.”
Brother Pike was Crowned a Sovereign Grand Inspector General for the state of Louisiana, and later Arkansas, on March 20th 1858. Wasting no time in his endeavor to propagate Scottish Rite Masonry on August 2nd 1858 Ill. Bro Pike wrote letters of constitution for Kedron Council Princes of Jerusalem, Excelsior Chapter Rose Croix, St.Godfrey de Omer Council of Kadosh, and The Grand Consistory of Arkansas. M.W. Luke E Barber was then appointed Commander-in-Chief for the Grand Consistory before Brother Pike was elevated to the office of M.P. Sovereign Grand Commander of the Scottish Rite for the Southern Jurisdiction.
Notable Members
Ill. Albert Pike, 33°
1809 - 1891
Albert Pike, born in 1809, was a key figure in early Arkansas courts and politics. He played a pivotal role in the development of Masonry in the state and served as the Sovereign Grand Commander of the Southern Jurisdiction of the Scottish Rite from 1859 until his passing in 1891. He was a member of the Valley of Little Rock and served as Sovereign Grand Inspector General for the Orient of Arkansas from 1858 to 1859. Pike's significant contributions to Masonic rituals and teachings, exemplified by his enduring work "Morals and Dogma," continue to influence the fraternity's members worldwide.
Ill. Charles E. Rosenbaum, 33°
1855 - 1930
Charles E. Rosenbaum, a visionary Masonic leader, played a pivotal role in revitalizing the Scottish Rite in Little Rock and introducing innovative initiatory practices. Serving as Sovereign Grand Inspector General in Arkansas from 1901 to 1930, he also a member of the Valley of Little Rock and held the esteemed position of Lt. Grand Commander of the Supreme Council, leaving an indelible mark on Freemasonry with his forward-thinking contributions.
Ill. Francis "Frank" Vinsonhaler, 33°
1864 - 1942
Dr. Francis "Frank" Vinsonhaler, Sovereign Grand Inspector General from 1935 to 1942 in the Scottish Rite Orient of Arkansas and a member of the Valley of Little Rock, was a World War I veteran and esteemed figure in Masonry. Serving as the Belgian Consul for Arkansas and as the dean of the University of Arkansas Medical School from 1927 to 1939, he played a crucial role in establishing the "new" medical school facility. Beyond his medical contributions, he was recognized for his civic engagement, receiving an Honorary LLD degree from the University of Arkansas in 1929 and serving on the board of directors for the Museum of Fine Arts in 1937.
Ill. Cletis O. Overton, 33°
1920 - 2016
Cletis Overton, was a resilient World War II Veteran, endured the horrors of the Bataan Death March and nearly three years in Japanese captivity, emerged as one of only 82 survivors out of 750 on the ill-fated Shinyo Maru. His unyielding faith and determination to serve God propelled him through the darkest moments, and he continued to honor his promise by sharing his testimony of faith. Beyond his extraordinary wartime experiences, Cletis dedicated himself to the Scottish Rite, Valley of Little Rock, becoming the most tenured 33rd Degree Mason in Arkansas and leaving an indelible mark on the fraternity. His war experiences are recounted in the book "The Lord is Our Shepherd" by Steve and Melissa Brawner.
Ill. Wilbur D. Mills, 33°, G.C.
1909 - 1992
Wilbur D. Mills holds the distinction of being the longest-serving Congressman in Arkansas history, representing the state for an impressive thirty-eight years. A member of the Valley of Little Rock and a recipient of the Grand Cross of the Court of Honor, Mills ascended from local politics in White County to become Chairman of the influential Ways and Means Committee, earning him the moniker "the most powerful man in Washington." Mills also made an unsuccessful bid for the presidency in 1972.
Ill. Gus "Buddy" Blass II, 33°
1923 - 2016
Gus "Buddy" Blass II, a distinguished Freemason and World War II veteran, entered Magnolia Lodge #60 in 1949 and quickly advanced to become a Master Mason and joined the Valley of Little Rock. He was a prominent figure in the Little Rock community, earning recognition as the city's Outstanding Young Man of the Year in 1956 and receiving the 33rd Degree in the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry in 1969. Brother Blass's legacy extends through the Gus Blass Scout Reservation, commemorating his dedicated service to the Boy Scouts of America.
Ill. John Paul Hammerschmidt, 33°, GC
1922 - 2015
John Paul Hammerschmidt, born in Harrison in 1922, was the first Republican elected to Congress from Arkansas since Reconstruction, serving the Third District for twenty-six years. A decorated World War II veteran, he flew 217 combat missions and earned numerous medals. Hammerschmidt was not only a dedicated public servant but also a Freemason and member of the Valley of Western Arkansas (now Fayetteville), receiving the Scottish Rite's Grand Cross and serving as Grand Orator for the Grand Lodge of Arkansas. His sponsorship of the bill designating the Buffalo River as the nation's first national river remains a lasting contribution to Arkansas.
Ill. Sidney "Sid" McMath, 33°, GC
1912 - 2003
Sidney Sanders McMath, born in Columbia County in 1912, was a distinguished figure in Arkansas politics. He rose to prominence by prosecuting Hot Springs mayor Leo McLaughlin and was a decorated WWII Marine officer. As governor, McMath implemented ambitious modernization programs, focusing on infrastructure, education, and racial equality. In addition to his political legacy, he was a recipient of the Scottish Rite's Grand Cross and an esteemed member of the Valley of Little Rock.