Masonic Center

by Haylee Tubbs

	The Lawrence Masonic Center, formally known as the Masonic Temple, first started taking shape in 1910 at 1001 Massachusetts. It was completed in1911. The Masonic groups are the only people that have owned the building. While it was built, it was financed by the Watkins bank. The bank did not believe that the Masons would not be able to pay for the building so they wanted to be sure that the building would suit their needs. The groups had previously held their meetings in a room above an old store that was on the west side of Mississippi Street. That store was then burnt down in Quantrill's raid. The group relocated many times before encountering the Masonic Center as it is today.
This is a front view looking up along the Egyptian columns.
	Overall the building structure is very sound. The building was built in the neo-Egyptian style, which was very popular around the early 1900's. This style was high in demand. Almost all of the woodwork you see today is original oak wood. The entryway floor and stairs are made out of pure, Italian marble. In the meeting room at the top of the balcony is an organ. When it was built and installed it was the biggest organ on the west side of the Mississippi River. The company that built it, Reuter Organ Company, moved here so that it could install the organ in the building. If you walk by the open side of the building you would notice that there are panels of brick surrounded by beautiful limestone. The bank had intended to put large windows where the brick was but the Masons did not want the windows so they put in brick instead.
The side view holds the brick intended to be windows.
	After the building was built the Masons paid it off in 3-4 years. There have been no fires or other disaster to disturb the building in any such way to cause a substantial amount of damage. The marvelous backdrops used in the meetings are original. The piano that is still used for many ceremonies and meetings is an original piano in almost perfect condition that was made in the 1890's. Few items have been replaced in the building. One major thing that has been replaced is the seating. Currently there are stadium seats that line the room but the seats that were first put in were old, wood benches. You can find one of the original benches in the basement of the center. The Masonic center is filled with fun and interesting facts that are a great part of history, and are not all secrets.
The back of the center faces an alley. The windows have been recently replaced.
These are the plaques on the corner of the building, one was carved into the corner stone and the other was mounted onto the building by the city of Lawrence.
This is the old well that was used to cool the building before there was air-conditioning.

References

Centennial History and Roster. Lawrence Lodge No.6

Johns, Henry. A personal interview. Masonic center 1001 Mass. Nov.23 2002.

Plaque on corner of Masonic Center

This is a Photo Explorations Project at West Junior High School, Lawrence, Kansas.
Karen Musacchio, instructor.

© Haylee Tubbs 2002.

Historic Places / Student Projects / Community Connections / West Jr. High / USD497