MASONIC COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE

MASONIC COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE. The Masonic Collegiate Institute at Anderson, Grimes County, was established in the spring of 1846 under the auspices of the Orphan's Friend Lodge No. 17 of Anderson. Marcus A. Montrose served as president. In 1847 the first of two large frame buildings housing the academy was completed on the twenty-five-acre campus, which later became the site of Anderson-Shiro School. In early 1851 the institute was forced to suspend operation, and in May of that year its property was conveyed to the trustees of a new school, St. Paul's Academy.