Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1873-10-15
A Magnificent Edifice.

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The new Masonic temple in Phila.
delphia which was dedicated on Friday
last is thus described by a. correspond.
ent of the New York World: ,seli 'tf1aa
81 ssThe noble structure stands upon
the northwest corner of Broad and Fiji
bertstreets, directly opposite the new
public buildings now in course of cree.
tion, and is the grandest Masonic
edffce IN The world The site upon
which it is reared cost 1856, 1853, and
and the building itself over 1, 900, 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. edifce in the
h"Quaker City, and covering above
the many massive structures in its own
vicinity presents a landmark that can
be distinctly seen for miles around. Tt
has two fronts-the west on Broad
street and the south on Filbert. A
perfect. specimen, of bold Norman
architecture, it is unlike any other
structure in the country. It's dimenL
sions are $50 feet length, with breadth
of $50 feet, The material used IN the
constitution is Cape Ann syenitet of a
grayish white color, which gives the
building a look of solidity and perma-
nences furnished by few other stones.
The. architecture ofthe building, sur
mounted by it's three unique tower
and facades, its. magnificent windows
and 1cornices, is imposing and grand,
A feature of the front is the porch,
which is the most elaborate and costly
work of this kind in the country. It is
built of Quincy granite, and is made
up OF four pairs of receding pillars,
surnounted by arched semi circular
mouldlngs 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 a sample of
different order of architecture-p being
the Egyptian, the Corinthian, the
Doric, the Ionic, the Oriental, the Nor
man, the Gothic, and the italian
Renaissance. On the first floor is stu
ated the banquet1ng 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
besdivided 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. 4 It is elegantly finished, and
furnished in the most costly style. The
Grand Chapter hall is also situated
upon the second floor, as we'll as those
Of the Subordinate Chapter, Conn
Smandery, Council, and !, Censistory
rooms, all Of which are fit companions
to the Grand Lodge hall. It's decora-
tons cost several Thousand dollars. In
point OF beauty and unique design of
appointments it has no compeer. The
doors are very handsome, being fin
1SASu III dH eleS3dub YdIltSdt0u DaIUl0
veneer, which gives them the appear
ancet of polished stone. A striking
feature of this apartment are the walls
of the temple, which perform an I'M
Eportant part in the mysteries of5Royal
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, alter, and lighting
features are perfect and marvellous.