[1] Many early settlers from the eastern and southern states brought Freemasonry with them to their new homes in the frontier west.

In the growing and thriving villages of Stillwater and Saint Paul these men sought the companionship of other Masons.

Similarly, other Masons were meeting and talking about the formation of a lodge in Stillwater as early as November 1849.

The creation of the Grand Lodge took place at a convention held on February 23–24, 1853 in Saint Paul, five years before Minnesota was admitted as a state.

The Grand Lodge was formally constituted on February 24, 1853, with its headquarters in Saint Paul.