On September 21, 1872, Newburg Lodge U.D., A.F.& A.M. at Competition, Mo, granted limits to Master Mason members living in the Plato area, for the purpose of forming a new lodge at Plato.
Brother J. A. Wilson and six other brothers filed a petition for dispensation with the Grand Lodge of Missouri.
Brothers J.A. Wilson, J.M. Brown, and James Moffatt were asked to go to Latimer Lodge #395 at Licking, Missouri, for examination as to their proficiency in conferring the three degrees. They were found proficient and on June 7, 1873, Latimer Lodge recommended to the Grand Lodge of Missouri that Plato be granted dispensation.
On June 21, 1873, the Grand Lodge of Missouri, of which MWB Samuel H. Owens was Grand Master, granted dispensation with Brother J.A. Wilson, Worshipful Master. Brother J.H. Robinson, Worshipful Master of Newburg Lodge #423 of Competition, Missouri, was directed to set the brethren of Plato to work.
The lodge was under dispensation from June 21, 1873 to October 17, 1873. During this period sixteen brothers received the entered Apprentice Degree, eleven were passed to the Degree of Fellow Craft and seven were raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason.
A Charter was granted on October 17, 1873, with fourteen charter members, and Brother J.A. Wilson as Worshipful Master.
The Saturday before each full moon was chosen as the meeting day because of the necessity of moonlight to travel with horse or horse and buggy. This remained the meeting day until 1932, when it was changed to the first Monday of each month, and this continues to be the meeting day. Plato Lodge #469 has continued to be an active lodge for over 125 years, with a membership of 214 as of May 15th, 2006.
Since World War II, Plato Lodge has distinguished itself as being a home for our brothers in the military service. We have conferred many courtesy degrees for the home lodge of our military and have always endeavored to maintain an atmosphere of brotherly love and a very warm welcome to
visiting brothers. It has been reported that you can visit a Blue Lodge most anywhere in the world that is near U.S. military installations and you can usually find someone who has visited Plato Lodge or taken some of his work there.
On October 27, 1973, Plato Lodge celebrated its 100th anniversary beginning with a banquet type meal, serving approximately 300 members and guests. There were 20 Past Masters of Plato Lodge in attendance. RWB Ray Veasman was the guest speaker for the evening and gave a very interesting talk on some of his work and experiences in Masonry. WB Elmer Helton also gave a brief history of the lodge.
Then, on June 21, 1980, the lodge had a ceremony for the laying of the cornerstone and dedicated the new lodge hall, which was a very memorable day in the history of the Lodge. MWB J. Edward Blinn, then Deputy Grand Master, now Past Grand Master, presided over the ceremonies.
Plato Lodge celebrated 125 years of longevity on September 20, 1998, with about 45 members and guests present. Highlights of note for the last 25 years were that Plato Lodge received the Grand Lodge Achievement Award on September 26, 2005 for 30 consecutive years, and has participated in Masonic Service or Community Service Month since inception.
For over 125 years, Plato Lodge has distinguished itself by the fine example and leadership of its brethren. The many years of fulfillment and accomplishment which reflects the very best in character, determination and ability of the members, past and present, who have given so much of their time, talent and effort to make Plato Lodge what it is, a lodge with a world wide reputation.
On May 12, 2005 Robert B. Taylor and his son, Anthony J. Taylor, were raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason. This is the first time in the history of Plato Lodge that a father and son were raised on the same night.
I conclude this brief history of Plato Lodge with this thought by Thomas B. Macaulay: "History has its foreground and its background, and it is principally in the management of its perspective that one artist differs from another. Some events must be represented on a large scale, others diminished; the great majority will be lost in the dimness of the horizon, and a general idea of their joint effect will be given by a few slight touches."
Milton P. Youmans, P.M.
Lodge Historian
Revised May 2006