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History
in a Pecan Shell
Lake Victor was a mere railroad
camp along the Houston and Texas Central Railway at the turn of the
20th Century. The community's name may have been a joke since the
"Lake" was actually a borrow pit that was only filled if there was
enough rain. The namesake was the railroad crew foreman - Victor Kellogg.
In 1903 lots were sold and both school and post office opened. Lake
Victor was prosperous for the next 25 years. From a population of
200 in 1914 it increased to 250 by the mid 20s.
The towns economy was stagnant through the Great Depression and the
the 40s but the population stayed more or less the same. The school
merged with the Burnet ISD in 1947
and the railroad abandoned their tracks in 1951. The mail was rerouted
through Lampasas in 1957.
1966 seems to have been the town's high-water mark with 350 people.
By 1972 there were only 200 residents which is where it has remained
more or less every since. |
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Lake Victor
Masonic Lodge
We were on vacation
this summer and happened upon Lake Victor. In this just about deserted
town we found this Masonic Hall on the last street we traveled. -
Will
Beauchamp, 2008 |
Lake Victor Lodge
with Historical Marker
Photo courtesy Will
Beauchamp, 2008 |
Historical Marker:
N of Burnet on US 281; 2.8 miles E on FM 2340
Lake Victor
Masonic Lodge
Sponsored by the
nearby Robert E. Lee Lodge, Lake Victor Lodge No. 1011, A. F. & A.
M. was formally established in December 1909 during the 73rd Annual
Grand Communications of the Grand Lodge of Texas. The first meeting
of the Lake Victor Lodge took place in a rented building on January
1, 1910. The lodge built its own meeting place on this site in 1914
and continued to meet on that site throughout the 20th century. The
largest membership of the Lake Victor Lodge in the 20th century was
reported in 1953-1954. In 1999 the lodge had 36 members, three of
whom had more than 50 years service. As is Masonic custom, the Lake
Victor Lodge contributes to charitable causes. The lodge continues
to uphold the traditions of its founders.
(2000) |
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Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history
and vintage/historic photos, please contact
us. |
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