The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-12-10


Ms John Steward has recently purchased Masonic Hail.
Ia Bosdwsy, with the Intention Of tearing Il down and
erecting on it's site next spring several ne stores with
fronts after The mode. afforded by Ste uar
he palace between Duane aud Helde styeets Nc Steward
has also bought two lots The lower aide Of the City
Hcepisl in Rrosdwsy and these i'll be improved Ia =
similar mar ner Mr John Gemnel OF the lot on
the souh of BroaaTay and Pearl street.
pied by wooden ehnty iotnts 10 erect building
rext spring ana all these improvements will do mush to
beaniify that part of Broscway Messrs. Bowen & Nc
Nance some two years since bought the property on
Broadway between Pearl street and the Broadway theatre
with leiatenior Of building Immense silk palace,
yded they could also The theatre and the Hotel &c
Paris The Of Anthony street James r. Whit
ing the OF the latter property, willing to sell
at reasonable rate, but the pice asked for the Broad
way theatre and the lot which it stood $500 000
deemed exorban and the idea Of building palace
as wide "a the block abandoned Mr.. James Ray
mond the OF the theatre, has since died, has
also his SEN and the property owned by several
persons, who may perhaps listen to more reasonable
terms and sell out.
Messrs Bowen McNamce willing to give 5000, 600
for the size II is not likely that they will
any improvements until such time they the
ground on which the theatre stanis.
AS Masonic HILL has many changes, perhaps
sketch Of its history my be of interest to readers
The corner stone laid in the year 1926 on Ut.
Johns lay, The oath Of June with imposing ceremonies,
and the building finished early In the year 1927 It's
cost $4,000, and at that time 1t deemed of
the nest buildings the city, being Of the Gothic arch
lecture, style then not much in vogue. The building
is ITO feet in height so in width, and 90 in depth.
On the second floor what known the music
gallery, 10 feet long, Az wide and % In height.
This designed to be the grand meeting place Of
the Masons and it afterwards deemed the best bah
in the city. 1t handsomely ornAmented and
adorned with light arches and delicate tracery, and
the counterpart Of the chapel Of Henry VII West
minister Abbey Hugh Kernagie the architect Of the
hall.
When this ediHce was erected the Masons large
and powerful organization but the mysterious disappear
Of Morgan which occurred in 1929 and the fierce
political anti Masonic excitement that ensued in 1875
reduced their numbers and Influence and the tras
tees Of the hall became embarrassed and It gradually
passed into other hands, originally proposed to-
erect building with seveutyve fest front. running
from corner Of Pearl down. and all who felt
disposition buy the stock allowed to do so but
the Of the lot asking too much money the
original plan curtacd aud the greater part Of tho
stock finally passed into the hands Of OUTSIDERS who
having special interest in Mason, matters,
verified the building to other
About the year 1881 or '32 It became the wing,
rather anti Jackson headquarters and continued such
until the years 1886 and 1877 when the wings took NATIONAL
Hall, in Canal street. for that purpose.
Masonic Hall the Of many fierce anti Jackson
and anti Texas gatherings and speeches.
SIrce that time Masonic Hall has many changes
II has been used ball room, billiard and bowling
saloon, and atterly hall for model arthes, free love
associations and other delectable exhibitions. 1t has
ceased to be an to Broadway and the substu
ton Of ne in ia place will do much to beauy
and adorn that noble avenue.