Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-06-14
THE MASONIC TEMPLE.

The new Masonic Temple to be erected
in New York, of which the corner stone
was laid last week with imposing cere-
monies, viii be magnificent building,
as the following description shows.
The ground measures l4l feet on Twenty
third St., and 80 feet inches on the avenue,
and the temple will cover the entire area.
The material is to be dark and light Concord
or Quincy granite. The buildings will be d.
vided into five stories, each distinctly mark
ed on the exterior. Upon Twenty third-st.
the main feature will be central pavilion, or
namented with columns and Plasters, and
surmounted by q quadrangular dome, so feet
square at the base, and rising l52 feet above
the pavement to the top Of the cresting.
Curtains" to be adorned with emblamatie
statues, will connect the center pavilion with
corner pavilions, 20 feet square at the base,
rising 95 feet to the top of the main cornice,
and capped by a Mansard roof. The avenue
front harmonizes with the Twenty-third-st.
front, and consists of corner pavilions, with
a recessed "curtain" between, enriched by
pilasters. The first story will be principally
devoted to stores, three large ones on the
street and four on the avenue. The main en-
trance in the southwest Curtain" will be Or
namented and made prominent by Doric
portico. In front of this will stand two Ma
sonic columns 20 feet high, and these, with
the allegorie statues and the arms of the
Grand Lodge on the fifth story, will form the
only insignia of Masonry on the temples ex-
terror. The main entrance leads directly, by
fight Of bread steps to large corridor in
the second story, 20feet wide by 66 long and
80 high. From this immediate access is
obtained, on the east side, to the Grand Lodge
room, "a by 90 feet, and on the other side to
the parlors and offices of the Grand Lodge
| officers, and to the freproof archive-room
| and other apartments. The grand hall is ar
| ranged to comfortably seat the Grand Lodge
| of the State, which numbers about 500
members, and has, beside, gallery across
the west end, which will accommodate $50
more, and will be specially convenient for the
orchestra on musical occasions. The Grand
Masters throne will be recess at the
east end, with convenient retiring and accom-.
| mediation rooms on either side. The main
stairway leading to all the upper stories is a,
| the north end of the entrance corridor. The
| landing on the third story 81 feet inches
| high, gives access at once to reception hall
| 20 by 6S, opening on the east side to three
| Tylers rooms connected by convenient ante
rooms with three Blue Lodge rooms, eacl
| SO feet long. West of the reception room
is large banquet hall, with stewards rooms
adjoining. In the fourth story, which is q
feet high, and arranged precisely like the
third, there will be two Blue Lodge rooms an(
one Royal Arch Chapter room, arranged
with new and ingenious conveniences. The
fifth story will be wholly devoted to the
use of the knights Templar, and the Com
mandery Hall will be in all respects the fines
| ever constructed. The building will be heat
ed by steam, thoroughly and scientifically
ventilated, and of the most approved fire
| proof construction, and will, of course, b.
amply supplied with all the conveniences o
| frst-class modern houses. An elevator
| placed conveniently to the main stairway
and to the private stairway on Sixth-ave.
will traverse the building from the ground t.
the fifth story, and, in case Of need, 1t may b
entirely cleaeed of its occupants in five min
utes. The architect, Napoleon LIE Brun, ha'
planned the structure with the utmost care
and with commendable taste, and it is MOI
easy to see how il could be improved. IT.
cost is estimated at $3.50, 900, and one third
of this sum is already in the hands of the
trustees. 1t is hoped that Masonic zeal and
generosity will compass its completion with
In two years. Some just idea of its sky-pOint-
ing majesty may be gathered from the fact
| that its massive central dome will tower 40
feet above the topmost point of Booths mag
nifcent theater, directly opposite. f1.li
The democracy of Fairfield County,
Ohio, are not afraid to avow their repu-
diation sentiments, as witness the follow
ing resolution adopted at their County
Convention, and printed in the Lancas-
ter Gazette:
Resolred, That we are in favor of dis
owning the bonded debt, or in other words,
are in favor Of repudiating 1t; and If paid, we
arein favor Of letting the Abolition party and
It's negro allies pay it," y .