Upon petition of forty-two interested Masons residing in Union City, Indiana and recommendation of John B. Routh, Worshipful Master of Winchester Lodge No. 56, Uriah Pierce, Worshipful Master of Pittsburg lodge U.D., a Dispensation was granted by tne Most Worshipful Grand Master, Martin H. Rice for a Lodge in Union City, Indian on November 24, 1868.  William H. Anderson was Warden and William H. Swain as Junior Warden of Turpen Lodge U.D., with authority to appoint such other officers as required.

      The new lodge met in the hall of Union City, Ohio Lodge No. 270, F & A. M., which wa located on the Ohio side of the State Line on the james Whit property.  An agreement was entered into by the Lodge to share the same Lodge Room.  Turpen Lodge was to pay $4.40 per meeting, receiving therefor, rent, lights and a Tyler.  Initiation fees were $25.00 for the three degrees with dues of $3.00 per year.

     The Charter for Turpen Lodge No. 401 was granted May 25, 1869, and the same officers were retained inoffice until time for the regular election as required by Grand Lodge.  The Lodge continued to meet in the Ohio Lodge Hall until October 1875.  The problem of jurisdication seemed to present a problem between the Lodges during this period and a movement ws made between the two to merge into one Lodge, but the merger was never consummated.

A. J. S. Bowers,a member of the Lodge constructed a three story building on the southeast corner of Columbia and Oak Streets and Turpen Lodge leased the third story from homfor $150.00 per year beginning October, 1875.  The Lodge met on the first and third Friday nights of the month on their Stated Meeting, but April 16, 1875 the meeting date was changed to the Tuesday evening of or before each full moon for stated and called meetings could be called whenever deemed necessary.  On February 24, 1880 the Lodge set the first  and third Thuesdays of the month and June 24 and December 27 as the nights for stated meetings. 

     The lease on the Bowers Building was terminated i April 1885, leaving the Lodge without a place to meet.  the Lodge met in the K. of P. Hall on the third floor of the Kirshbaum building on the Mortheast corner of Pearl and Columbia Streets.  On August 15, 1885 a lease was signed with Mr. R. Kirshbaum for the Hall they now occupied.  Until the turn of the century membership began to grow until it exceeded three hundred.

     In November of 1926 the Lodge bought the Anderson ( or Post Office) Building on the South Side of West Peral Street.  The building was remoeled and occupied by the Lodge in 1933, previous to the Dedication which was done by the Grand Lodge Officers on February 9, 1933.

     During this period the building was shared by the Eastern Star, and a DeMoay Chapter and a Job's Daughter Bethel was organized.  The Lodge continued to meet in  a spirit of harmony, both financially and fraternally until out of a clear sky opportunity presented itself.

     In August 1964 the Lodge ws consulted as to the sale of their building to the Union Trust Company to make way for an expansion program.  Negotiations were completed and a contr5act was entered into by the Lodge and the Bank in March 1965.

     A Building Committee wa selected and the cornerstone ceremonies were presented by the Grand Lodge Officers on June 26, 1965.  The transition from the old temple to the new temple at the corner of Plum Street and State Route 28 was accomplished without missing any stated meetings.  The first meeting in September, after being in the dark during July and August, found the Lodge assembled for their stated meeting in the new temple.

     After much work, sacrifice and cooperation, the members of Turpen Lodge proudly join our Grand Lodge Officers in the dedication of our spacious and magnificent temple.