Masonic+Interest+in+Rock+Island+and+Description+of+the+Masonic+Building

//From __Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Rock Island County__ // **Masonic Interest in Rock Island ** On October 17, 1912, under an Indian summer sky and with gorgeous pomp and ceremony, the Masons of Rock Island, comprising the four bodies above mentioned, laid the cornerstone of a magnificent new Masonic Temple to be erected at the corner of Eighteenth street and Fifth Avenue. An “occasional Grand Lodge” was convened for this purpose, and the ceremonies were conducted under the personal direction of Grand Master Delmar D. Darrah of Bloomington. M.W. Brother Charles E. Whelan, past grand master of Wisconsin, was the right worshipful grand orator. These ceremonies were the culmination of years of earnest striving and united effort on the part of the fraternity in Rock Island, generously assisted by the members of the so-called “higher bodies” residing in the jurisdiction of which Rock Island is the center. This new temple when completed and furnished, will represent an outlay of $65,000 or $70,000, every penny of which will have been contributed by the Masons and their families. The building plans, as adopted, were the result of careful and extended study and will adequately meet the needs of the fraternity for some years to come. Rock Island Masons are justly proud of this achievement – proud because of the prosperity of the craft which it evidences, and proud of the facilities for more fully exemplifying the beauties of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth which Masonry teaches. To Bro. H.E. Casteel, who directed the subscription campaign to its successful conclusion, the local Masons are particularly indebted, and all believe that the new home will stand as an enduring monument to the delightful spirit of helpfulness and co-operation which resulted in the realization of their dreams. It is expected that the temple will be ready for occupancy by July 1, 1913.

**Description of New Masonic Building ** The beautiful Masonic building on the corner of Eighteenth street and Fifth avenue, Rock Island covers 100 x 115 feet. The front is three stories in height, corresponding with two higher stories in the rear with contain the lodge rooms and banquet hall. On the first floor, opening off the large lobby, are two club rooms on the left. On the right is the office and a ladies’ parlor. Directly opposite the entrance is the ball room 50 x 52 feet and a concert hall 35 x 38 feet. These two rooms can be thrown together making an uninterrupted ball room floor 85 feet in length. Men’s and ladies toilets and a check room are also on this floor. In the rear of the ball room is a large kitchen and a small dining room and a rear stairway. The main stairway opens up to the right in the lobby. Opening off of the landing of ths stairs, halfway to the second floor, is the front half story, 8 foot ceiling, just room enough for the armory and some reserve space for various purposes. There is a private stairway from the armory u to the lodge room above. In the second story are two lodge rooms, the larger 50 x 64 feet, having a main stairway 19 x 42 feet and also a side stage all along the right hand side. This is cut off from the main room with drop curtains when not in use. When in use the view from the stage into the main room is cut off with a scrim curtain which permits a full view from the main room into the stage. In front of the lodge room are a Tyler’s room, smoking room, parlor, candidate’s room, preparation room and six property rooms and toilets. There is on the second floor in addition to the above mentioned rooms, a small lodge room 33 x 50 feet with proper ante-rooms and a ladies’ parlor and toilet. This parlor can be entered either from the public hall of the second story or from the Tyler’s room. There is a vault in the office and also one on the second floor. Return to Freemasonry in the QC