Mariposa Lodge No. 24 began with a Dispensation issued by the Grand Master Hyman of the Grand Lodge of California on November 18, 1851, the same year the Yosemite Valley was discovered, the year 50 dollar slugs were made at Mt. Ophir, and the year the voters decided to move the county seat from Agua Fria to Mariposa.  The Dispensation listed J.W. Risher as Master, David Hogan as Senior Warden and Green B. Abell as Junior Warden.

Due to the inability to secure a proper meeting place and the long delay involved in writing east to verify past history of candidates, it was October 2, 1852 before the first candidate was initiated.  His name s was William A. King, a farmer 23 years of age.  The second candidate was Samuel A. Merritt, a lawyer 24 years of age.  They both became Master of the Lodge.

A Charter granted by the Grand Lodge on May 5, 1854, and the first returns under it showed a complete organization.   The officers were G.B. Abel, W.M.; William A. King, S.W.; S.A. Merrit, J.W.; Jospeh W. Thomas, Treasurer; O.M. Dickensen, Secretary; J.L. Hallum, S.D.; J.L. Boling, J.D.; J.R. Norris, Tyler.  There were 24 Master Masons, three fellow Crafts and six Entered Apprentices.