Our lodge is located in downtown Portage, WI and is named for Fort Winnebago. Fort Winnebago lodge #33 was chartered on December 13, 1850.
The lodge was organized in one of the buildings of Old Fort Winnebago by a group of eight Masons. The second home occupied by the lodge was on East Cook Street in what was known as the Old Older Home. The third home of the lodge was in the Helmann building which is now part of Firstar Bank. The fourth home built in 1883 was acress Dewitt Street from the Courthouse. The lower portion was occupied by the Portage Post Office. The owner, Judge Joshua J. Guppey, signed an agreement to sell half of the building to the lodge trustees. Later Guppey heirs sold the building to the trustees of Fort Winnebago Lodge #33, the Royal Arch Masons and the Commendry.
The present lodge building was built in 1936 and 1937. It was dedicated by Grand Master Karl Braasch and Rev. J.V. Berger, Master of Fort Winnebago #33.
In recent years, the Masonic Lodge of Endeavor merged with Fort Winnebago Lodge which has been beneficial to all members. Currently, the lodge is shared by the Order of Eastern Star.
Today, Freemasonry has an outstanding record for helping others. Masons are dedicated to ethical and moral values and becoming better men.
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