Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-11-15
TIE BUILDING BEGUN.
Cornerstone Of the Masonic Temple
Laid Yesterday.
AN IMPOSING PARADE.
Knights TemplarS and Other Bodies
in the Line.
SQUABE, LEVEL. AND PLUMB.
The Ancient Instruments Of the Order Put 10
Ceremonial Use
GRAFTON OF THE DAY.
Hon W. C. P, Breckinrdge, Of Kentucky,
Makes a Fine Effort
TIE BUILDING AS IT WILL BE.
an Ornament 70 the City-A Great Con-
venienoO 10 the Fraternity.
Hon. W. CP. Breckinrdge, Of Kentucky,
Makes a Fine Effort
THE BUILDING AS IT WILL BE.
An Ornament TO the City-A Great Con-
vsnienoe 10 the Fraternity.

In 1855 the Masons laid the foundation Of
their hall in this city, and 1t stands 70 this
day, modest-looking, old-fashioned, brO1d-
'front.', thfee.stOry framed building, setting
back a little distance from The southern line
OF Franklin street between Eighteenth and
Nineteenth. II has been in continuous use
by the order since il was built, and Is to-day
the oldest cdlCce in The United States erected
for Masonic purposes. But all the while the
city has been steadily growing westward, and
several Of the lodges have had their meeting
places IN ST. Albans Hall for some years past,
and now their plumbers have outPrown The
accommodations Of that place, and it has
been determined " take another step west
wardly, this time such IN advanced one that
the brethren stall not complain Of the suta-
blcncss Of the place at least for q quarter or a
hali century TO come. The site selected Is
a. the southwest corner 81 Broad and Adams
streets, locality which may now be con-
SdeTcd on the western frontier OF The retail
trade of Richmond, bat In the direct path
unOu which That trade is steadily advancing
The temple viii be on lot which has never
been occupied by any consider able building.
having been used for years out Of memory
flitifA ~ II Whbh@ tt tuNiutIF1t 1tIus ilfIt u
100000 temple is to DE erected. aud here in
The course OF year or two will be the offices
and ball Of the Grand Lodge and numerous
lodge and qneiing-TOoms.
Some years back II was q matter Of criti-
cisD That Richmond, while abouNding i'm
handsome private residences, in splendid
factories ana elegant business houses, was de-
iiclcrt IN public buildings. So il was, but
every ycar we are removing that objection,
aud in a comparatively short period the
Byrd-strcet railroad station and the
Young Mems Christian Association bail
have been built and the CITY Hall
Is under way aud showing itself in lovely
proportions. while the cuslOm.h house has
been enlarged and changed until II almost
amounts 10 a new structure. Now we are
TO bavc the long-talked.Of Masonic Temple,
which IS TO be bniIt by plans which will in
surca beautiful cdlfce, and an uptown hotel
looms up chegrfuly in the near future.
The ceremony Of laying the Temp corner
store took place yesterday md was pTciacod
by "a parade nom -. Albaus Hotel Third and
Main streels) Of several c0mmanderics OF
Knight, Tcmpars and hundreds Of members
of Blue Lodges, acting as escort 10 the Grand
Lodge, 10 the temple lot, where the corner
stone WAS laid according 10 the ancient cus-
tom Of the fraternity aud an address was de.
Hvcred by the Lon. Mr. Breckinrdge, Of
kentucky.