Leavenworth, Kan. —
In 1914, the opening of the Leavenworth Masonic Temple was said to be the cause of the largest gathering of members of the fraternal organization of Masons in the state’s history — more than 500 members marched from the group’s former lodge to 423-1/2 Delaware St., according to one of the King Solomon Lodge No. 10’s current members, Mark Swope.
Much of the landscape around the building has changed since. But Swope said this Masonic lodge is almost without peer in the extent to which it has remained true to its original condition and the artifacts that remain inside of it. Walking across the central “lodge room,” the ceremonial center for the lodge, he said he can hear history in the way the floor creaks.
History is never far in the temple — there is a vault in the basement of the building that contains the original trowel and other equipment used to lay the cornerstone of the building on May 10, 1914. It also contains the original linen blueprints for the building.
more http://www.leavenworthtimes.com/newsnow/x1266607719/Masonic-temple-still-stands-as-landmark
In 1914, the opening of the Leavenworth Masonic Temple was said to be the cause of the largest gathering of members of the fraternal organization of Masons in the state’s history — more than 500 members marched from the group’s former lodge to 423-1/2 Delaware St., according to one of the King Solomon Lodge No. 10’s current members, Mark Swope.
Much of the landscape around the building has changed since. But Swope said this Masonic lodge is almost without peer in the extent to which it has remained true to its original condition and the artifacts that remain inside of it. Walking across the central “lodge room,” the ceremonial center for the lodge, he said he can hear history in the way the floor creaks.
History is never far in the temple — there is a vault in the basement of the building that contains the original trowel and other equipment used to lay the cornerstone of the building on May 10, 1914. It also contains the original linen blueprints for the building.
more http://www.leavenworthtimes.com/newsnow/x1266607719/Masonic-temple-still-stands-as-landmark