FAIRBANKS - One of the iconic buildings along the Fairbanks riverfront is the old Masonic Temple at 809 First Ave. Freemasonry arrived in Fairbanks soon after the city’s founding, and although the local chapter (Tanana Lodge) did not receive its charter until 1908, it is certain that the men who started the lodge were active Masons long before the local chapter was officially recognized. The building that would become the Fairbanks Masonic Temple was constructed in 1906 as the Tanana Commercial Company store, but two years later the Masonic Lodge purchased the structure. The Masons added a basement and also constructed an extension to the rear and a second story. In 1916 the lodge undertook a major renovation and installed a pressed metal façade to the front of the building, giving it a Renaissance Revival appearance. (Renaissance Revival is an artistic style that draws its inspiration from a variety of classical Italian styles.) Pressed metal ornamentation and facades were extremely popular during the early 1900s. They were an easy, quick and inexpensive way to add style to otherwise plain buildings. Read more: Fairbanks Daily News-Miner - Fate of Fairbanks historic Masonic Temple in limbo
