Brother Edwin Waller (November 4, 1800 – January 3, 1881) was an entrepreneur, a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence, the first mayor of Austin, the designer of Austin’s downtown grid plan, and a founding member of Austin Lodge No. 12. He hosted the first meeting during which the preliminary formation of our lodge was held.

Brother Waller came to Texas from Missouri and on July 20, 1831, received title to one league of land in the present Brazoria County. He was a member of Henry S. Brown’s company in the Battle of Velasco on June 26, 1832.

In 1835, Waller represented the municipality of Columbia in the consultation and was elected a member of the General Council. He was one of the four delegates from Brazoria to the convention in 1836 at Washington-on-the-Brazos and he signed the Texas Declaration of Independence.

In 1838, Waller was President of the Board of Land Commissioners for Brazoria County, and in 1839 he was appointed to survey, sell lots, and erect buildings in Austin, the newly selected capitol site for the Republic of Texas.

His home was located on the northwest corner of Mulberry (now known as 10th Street) and Congress.

Bro. Waller was elected the first Mayor of Austin in 1840. He created the 1839 original plan for the future City of Austin, also known as the Waller Plan. It established the grid plan of street layout that is now downtown Austin.

Although he never served as an officer of the Lodge, he was active in everyday functions of the lodge.

For further information please see “Texas State Historical Association”