The Masonic Temple in Kirksville, Missouri serves as the home for Kirksville Lodge No. 105 A.F. & A.M., Adair Lodge No. 366 A.F. & A.M., Kirksville Chapter No. 184 O.E.S., Caldwell Chapter No. 53 R.A.M., Kirksville Council No. 44 R.&S.M., and Ely Commandery No. 22 K.T. The structure was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on January 7, 2010.
Freemasonry in Adair County, Missouri dates back prior to the American Civil War, with the first lodge, Kirksville Lodge No. 128 A.F. & A.M., chartered in May, 1850.[2] Following the war a large number of various Masonic lodges and affiliated organizations flourished within the county and at its height the combined membership county-wide totaled over three thousand members.[3] There proved a need and great desire for one central meeting point large enough for all activities instead of the scattered rental facilities then in use, so in 1919 the Masonic Temple Association was formed, a building site chosen, and fundraising efforts begun.[2] Two wealthy local Osteopathic physicians, Doctors George M. Laughlin and Harry M. Still, both Masons, provided the bulk of the financing for the project, with the issuing of bonds covering the rest.
ConstructionEdit
The building site, at 217 East Harrison Street, was in the heart of the Kirksville business district and two blocks east of the town square. In 1927 the St. Louis firm of Bonsack & Pearce was chosen for the architectural design. The result would be a four-story building in the Egyptian Revival style.[4] The Kirksville temple is one of only two in Missouri in that particular style the other being in St. Louis.[5] The cornerstone was laid on April 2, 1930 by Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Missouri, Mr. Samuel L. Fleet. Among the contents were a Bible, Masonic apron, various Masonic documents, and a book listing all the Adair Countians killed in World War I. The original plan was to build the temple using yellow brick for the entire exterior. However Mr. Leonard Poelman, local Mason and the projects contractor, had connections with a stone company in Carthage, Missouri and was able to arrange for a quantity of fine limestone at a discounted price. Thus it was decided to use the yellow brick on the lesser-seen west and north exteriors while the south and east would receive the Carthage stone.[3] Construction was done at a rapid pace, with completion and dedication in December, 1930 at a final cost at just under $70,000.
The finished buildingEdit
The completed temple was rectangular, approximately 55 feet by 77 feet, with main entrances located on the east and south sides flanked by pylons and ornate cavettomoldings. The first floor consists of the kitchen and a large dining room with seating for up to 250, while a single large meeting room can be found on the second floor. The third floor is dedicated to offices for the various Masonic secretaries and the lodges recreation room. The fourth floor is reserved for use by the York Rite bodies.[3] The building interior is much the same as it was in 1930 save for the upgrades to more modern appliances
Notable visitorEdit
In the early 1940s the Kirksville Masonic Temple was visited by future U.S. PresidentHarry S. Truman. At the time Truman was Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Missouri A.F. & A.M. while also a United States Senator for the Show-Me state. .[3]
ReferencesEdit
^"Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties: 1/04/10 through 1/08/10". National Park Service. Retrieved 2011-05-16.
^ abCole Woodcox (September 2009). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form: Masonic Temple" (PDF). Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved 2016-09-01.
^ abcd"The Masonic Temple" (PDF). The Chariton Collector. Spring 1985. Retrieved 2011-06-12.
^Eden Derby (May 13, 2010). . KTVO TV-3. Archived from the original on October 7, 2012. Retrieved May 16, 2011.
^. Upper Michigans Source.com. 2010-01-27. Archived from the original on 2011-10-06. Retrieved 2011-06-12.
External linksEdit
Flickr pic of the building
October 19, 2023
masonic, temple, kirksville, missouri, masonic, temple, kirksville, missouri, serves, home, kirksville, lodge, adair, lodge, kirksville, chapter, caldwell, chapter, kirksville, council, commandery, structure, listed, national, register, historic, places, janua. The Masonic Temple in Kirksville Missouri serves as the home for Kirksville Lodge No 105 A F amp A M Adair Lodge No 366 A F amp A M Kirksville Chapter No 184 O E S Caldwell Chapter No 53 R A M Kirksville Council No 44 R amp S M and Ely Commandery No 22 K T The structure was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on January 7 2010 Masonic TempleU S National Register of Historic PlacesExterior view south side and entrance Show map of MissouriShow map of the United StatesLocation217 E Harrison St KirksvilleCoordinates40 11 44 06 N 92 34 54 78 W 40 1955722 N 92 5818833 W 40 1955722 92 5818833Built1930Architectural styleEgyptian RevivalNRHP reference No 09001208 1 Added to NRHPJanuary 7 2010 Contents 1 History 1 1 Construction 2 The finished building 2 1 Notable visitor 3 References 4 External linksHistory EditFreemasonry in Adair County Missouri dates back prior to the American Civil War with the first lodge Kirksville Lodge No 128 A F amp A M chartered in May 1850 2 Following the war a large number of various Masonic lodges and affiliated organizations flourished within the county and at its height the combined membership county wide totaled over three thousand members 3 There proved a need and great desire for one central meeting point large enough for all activities instead of the scattered rental facilities then in use so in 1919 the Masonic Temple Association was formed a building site chosen and fundraising efforts begun 2 Two wealthy local Osteopathic physicians Doctors George M Laughlin and Harry M Still both Masons provided the bulk of the financing for the project with the issuing of bonds covering the rest Construction Edit The building site at 217 East Harrison Street was in the heart of the Kirksville business district and two blocks east of the town square In 1927 the St Louis firm of Bonsack amp Pearce was chosen for the architectural design The result would be a four story building in the Egyptian Revival style 4 The Kirksville temple is one of only two in Missouri in that particular style the other being in St Louis 5 The cornerstone was laid on April 2 1930 by Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Missouri Mr Samuel L Fleet Among the contents were a Bible Masonic apron various Masonic documents and a book listing all the Adair Countians killed in World War I The original plan was to build the temple using yellow brick for the entire exterior However Mr Leonard Poelman local Mason and the projects contractor had connections with a stone company in Carthage Missouri and was able to arrange for a quantity of fine limestone at a discounted price Thus it was decided to use the yellow brick on the lesser seen west and north exteriors while the south and east would receive the Carthage stone 3 Construction was done at a rapid pace with completion and dedication in December 1930 at a final cost at just under 70 000 The finished building EditThe completed temple was rectangular approximately 55 feet by 77 feet with main entrances located on the east and south sides flanked by pylons and ornate cavetto moldings The first floor consists of the kitchen and a large dining room with seating for up to 250 while a single large meeting room can be found on the second floor The third floor is dedicated to offices for the various Masonic secretaries and the lodges recreation room The fourth floor is reserved for use by the York Rite bodies 3 The building interior is much the same as it was in 1930 save for the upgrades to more modern appliances Notable visitor Edit In the early 1940s the Kirksville Masonic Temple was visited by future U S President Harry S Truman At the time Truman was Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Missouri A F amp A M while also a United States Senator for the Show Me state 3 References Edit Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties 1 04 10 through 1 08 10 National Park Service Retrieved 2011 05 16 a b Cole Woodcox September 2009 National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form Masonic Temple PDF Missouri Department of Natural Resources Retrieved 2016 09 01 a b c d The Masonic Temple PDF The Chariton Collector Spring 1985 Retrieved 2011 06 12 Eden Derby May 13 2010 Historic Places Inside the Masonic Temple KTVO TV 3 Archived from the original on October 7 2012 Retrieved May 16 2011 Masonic Temple in Kirksville on historic places list Upper Michigans Source com 2010 01 27 Archived from the original on 2011 10 06 Retrieved 2011 06 12 External links EditFlickr pic of the building Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Masonic Temple Kirksville Missouri amp oldid 998532048, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
