Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1873-10-09
A MAGNIFICENT Etliilcc.

The new Masonic temple in Phila-
dclphia which WINS dedicntel on Friday
last ia thus described by correspond
ent of the New York World:
"The noble structure stands upon
tho northwest corner of Broad and Fill.
bert streets, directly opposite the new
public buildings now in course of cree.
ton, and is tho grandest Masonic
editice in the world. The site upon
which it is reared cost $156, 763, and
and the building itself over 1000, 900.
It has been five years in construction,
and the expenditure for the same was
secured by Masonic loan. The temple
is the most imposing edifice in the
"Quaker City," and towering above
the many massive structures in it's own
vicinity presents landmark that can
be distinctly seen for miles around. It
has two fronts-the west on Broad
street and the south on Hilbert. A
perfect specimen of bold Norman
architecture, it is unlike any other
structure in the country. Its: djmen-
sions are $50 feet length, with breadth
of $50 feet. The material used IN the
construction is Cape Ann syenite Of a
6AUy AoA wu4V0 CO4OA1 "AANA GAvOO VAO
building look Of solidity: and perma-
nence furnished by few other stones.
The architecture Of tho building, sur
mounted by its three unique towers
and facades, it's magnificent windows
and cornices, is imposing and grand.
A feature of the front is the porch,
which is the most elaborate and costly
work of this kind in thecountry.H It is
built of Quincy granite, and is made
up of four pairs of receding pillars,
surmounted by arched semi circular
mouldings enriched by beautiful Nor
man decorations. The structure, which
is three stories and basement in
height, is said to contain 10000, 900
bricks. The hall is enclosed by
an IRON railing fence, and lamps will be
placed around it for use at night. The
interior of the structure is magnificent:
the grand staircases are of iron, and
the first hall is 20 feet in width. The
floors are laid with black and white
marble tiles, arranged in figures, and
presenting handsome appearance.
Each hall in the Temple is q sample of
q different order of architecture -Deing
the Egyptian, the Corintllian, the
Doric, the Ionic, the Oriental, the Nor.
man, the Gothic, and the Italian
Renaissance. On the first floor is stu.
ated the banquetlng hall, which is an
elegant room, capable of seating over
600 persons, and is fitted up in grand
style. 1t is SO constructed that it can
DO divided INTO two rooms and used by
two different lodges at the same time,
should necessity arise for such an ar.
rangement. The Grand Lodge hall, in
the second story. is CONSTRUCTED and
decorated upon the Corinthian order.
This room has seating capacity for 400
persons. It is 81 feet wide by LOG in
length. It is elegantly finished, and
furnished in the most costly style. The
Grand Chapter lhall is also situated
upon the second floor, as we'll as those
of the Subordinate Chapter, Com
mandery, Council, and Consistory
rooms, all Of which are fit companions
to the Grand Lodge hall. Its decora-
tions cost several thousand dollars. In
point of beauty and unique design of
appointments it has no compeer. The
doors are very handsome, being fin
ished IN an elegant variegated marble
veneer. which gives them the appear
ance of polished stone. A striking
feature of this apartment are the wallis
OF the temple, which perform an i'm
Portant part in the mysteries of Royal
Arch Masonry. The building through.
out is admirably furnished with all
the necessary adjuncts in the shape of
waiting, toilet, library, banqueting,
reading, and culinary rooms, whilst
the ventilation, gas, Wat r, "u.' h.'ht:. =
features are perfect and marvellous.