The State Newspaper in Columbia, SC Saturday March 11 1950 5 South Carolina Lodges were awarded their Charter on March 10 1950
These were :
Fort Jackson No. 374 in Fort Jackson
Carolina Lodge No. 375 in Hanahan
Beaumont Lodge No. 376 in Spartanburg - Charter Closed
Broad River Lodge No. 377 in Columbia - Merged with Blythewood Masonic Lodge No. 395 on January 1st 2018
Oak Grove Lodge No. 378 in Timmonsville
We were first page news that day , see Page 3B for complete article
General John A. Logan 1826-1886 of the Union Army, crossing the Broad River in April 1865
Our Lodge is named after the Broad River that runs through Richland County South Carolina.
The running water begins in the Blue Ridge mountains in North Carolina and enters in to South Carolina in Cherokee County and continues through the state until it merges with the Saluda River in Richland County to form the Congaree River. Even though it is a major river, these fish see little pressure once downstream of the launch points. The river is filled with stretches of pools, shoals and runs. The Broad river is exactly what its name portrays it to be – broad. This usually equates to it being relatively shallow. Finding access to the Broad can be difficult, and the numerous shoals make it a challenge for motor boats. This is a good thing if you are a kayak or canoe fisherman. The Broad River has limited public access a boat landing below the Parr Reservoir under Highway 213 provides a launching point for small boats. A canoe landing is located within the Harbison State Forest. The Broad River Rowing Facility allows access for canoes and kayaks to take out from a downstream trip starting at Harbison State Forest. During the hot low water summer months, an angler can fish the river by just wading, which is always nice. There are certainly deep holes here and there, but much of this river is indeed wide, shallow and scenic, making it a pleasure to fish.
According to an aquatic inventory by South Carolina Department of Natural Resources : Longnose Gar, Gizzard Shad, Threadfin Shad, Grass Carp, Greenfin Shiner, Whitefin Shiner, Common Carp, Eastern Silvery Minnow, Thicklip Chub, Bluehead Chub, Spottail Shiner, Yellowfin Shiner, Sandbar Shiner, Silver Redhorse, Shorthead Redhorse, Striped Jumprock, Brassy Jumprock, Snail Bullhead, Flat Bullhead, Channel Catfish, Margined Madtom, White Perch, White Bass, Flier, Redbreast Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Warmouth, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Tallessellated Darter, Seagreen Darter, Yellow Perch, and Piedmont Darter have all been collected from the Broad River above Riverfront Park
There is plenty of other wildlife in the Broad River Basin area as well birds, including bald eagles, herring and ospreys that you will see along the way. You can also see wild coyotes, numerous river otters, muskrats and loads of deer. The rare and endangered spider lily resides here as well as the state-endangered ginger plant.
In 1991 the General Assembly of South Carolina designated the section of the Broad River from the 99 islands Dam in Cherokee County to the Pacolet River a State Scenic River. The Designation will help ensure that the undeveloped portion of the river will remain pristine through conservation efforts and thus continue to support diverse plant of animal life
The area is also home to many historical landmarks such as Smith’s Ford and several ancient Indian fish traps.