New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-02-16
THE MASONIC TEMPLE
THE CORNER STONE LAID
DIMENSIONS OF THE EDIFICE

DIMENSIONS OF THE EDIFICE
Yesterday afternoon the ceremGnies con-
Quoted according to the Masonic creed OF
laying the corner stone OF the proposed
temple on st. Charles avenue, between De-
lord and Calliope streets, were consun-
mated in the presence of the entire order,
a large audience of ladies and gentlemen,
and the fellow craftsmen OF the various
lodges in this city. The corner stone was
pronounced laid at two o'clock, the huge
block OF granite from the quarry at Stone
mountain, Georgia, solelnnly, slowly swing
ing to its place, accompanied by ''slow mu-
sic" From what could be gathered of this
interesting occasion it appeared that the
design of erecting temple upon this pre-
else spot assumed shape and form about the
time that the old city depot of the Carroll
ton railroad was sod-over five years ago.
Through every difficulty and over every
obstacle they who originated this design
have gone until the present when the great
work has begun.
y
the Masonic rules has been reduced to a
science. No forms are more eXacting than
those prescribed. The very thing to be
done, and the precise words to say, are
down in the books. Hence, the record Of
this particular laying Of the stone is alike
to all other ceremonials, with the exception
of certain events, which we will proceed to
describe.
Over the site of the proposed structure q
large platform had been erected, under the
superintendent of Samuel b. Haggert,
Esq, for the accommodation of the Order
and the audience. This was about sixty
feet in depth, and sloped downward to-
ward the stone, which swung lazily from a
derrick in the shape of a tripod, the ends
Of which were joined in a manner similar
to that in use on such occasions. A sketch
of the grand stand, which was built in front
of the main platform, is appended:
Triune Arch.
Stand.
Steps. Steps.
Stone.
Raised Platform.
The arches were trimmed in evergreens
and wreathed with flags, and from the
centre of the middle arch hung the golden
letter G. The accommodations for visitors
had been provided on generous plan, the
platform being amphitheatrical in shape
sloping toward the stone. 1t had been skill
fully devised, and preparations made for
seating at least two thousand persons, some
of whom at an early hour began to fill their
allotted space. The stairways leading to
the grand stand were laid with carpeting.
The trimmings of the stairs, of the reporters
table tat which, by the way. there were
ample accommodations. even the giant der
rick, were all in blue. the front of the grand
stand. however. having belt of red and
white, to contrast with the prevalent color.
Every object about the front, every post
and pillar, was trimmed with cedar and
ornamented with wreaths.
The new Temple is destined to be one of
the ornaments of the city, and its speedy
construction is anticipated. The front is
about 40 feet, is elevated on st. Charles
street, and extends from the point where
the street leaves the rectillinear and de-
scribes the northeastern curve of Tivoli
circle toward Calliope street. The ground
floor front will be divided into four stores,
with the grand entrance situated midway,
each store to be 26l2 feet wide, 20 feet deep
and 20 feet in height. To reach the grand
entrance portico of 9 feet projection and
80 feet in width is crossed, and the entrance
itself is "a feet wide. The elevation is to
consist of the COrinthian order, with
pilasters, columns and full entablatures,
and will rise at least 50 feet, SO presenting
az imposing appearance both from ST
Charles below the c4cle and above, beside
casting shadow athwart Carondelet
street in the rear. The editice is to be
three stories in height i'll front, four i'll the
rear; the first or ground floor occupied by
stores, the second by the whole length OF
the ball room, the third by lodge rooms.
The ballroom is reached through the
grand entrance by a stairway, the first
landing of which is spanned by three arches,
Passing under the arches, the main en-
trance Of the ballroom is reached by a
SHoi HiS III VI sttpS~ Il dSl tHo uooI way vi
the ballroom on the right is the supper-room
on the left the cloak room, and ladies' parlor.
1t is intended to make the ballroom one of
the handsomest in the country, the ceilings
to be frescUed Of the best material, and the
walls to be ornamented in the most tasteful
manner. The dimensions are. Length I40
feet, width 20 feet, height SO feet. That
portion of the right wing in the rear of the
stores is reached on the lower floor by pass
ing through the grand entrance and turning
to the left, and is to be divided into lumber
janitors, and supper-room. The grand sec
retarys Office, the gentlemen's room, the
grand masters room and the library are all
on the right. A portico and entrance is on
the right, looking toward Delord, and ON
the left, in the direction of Calliope street.
is another portico, allowing entrance in
three different directions.
March Of the MasOns.
The procession of the entire fraternity
who were to participate III the ceremonies
started from the hall at twelve o'clock, and
took up their line of march through the
principal streets in the following order:
lana, and Sir Knights as escorts.
TYLER with QIa a sword