Semi-weekly register. (Brookings, Brookings Co., S.D.) 1894-1898, 1894-12-12
MASONIC TEMPLE.
This Beautiful and Permanent Home for
tho Orders of Masonry Ready
for Occupancy

REGISTER during the past twelve
months in regard to this permanent
home Of the various Masonic orders
of this city it is very proper at this
time, on the eve Of its dedication, to
give to those who are interested and
who have not been able to get a
glimpse of the interior, as vivid a de-
scription as possible of the beautiful
and commodi Gus quarters which will
soon be used for the purposes for
which they were designed.
If the successful termination of en-
bryotic plans and ideas with regard
to such building, is due to any one
man, that man is VIM. II. Skinner,
the city's bustling postmaster. Mr..
Skinner has, however, been ably as
sisted by VIM. M. Brooke, Robt. f.
Kerr, P. G. Murphy, and other men,
bers of the order who have devoted
much time and attention to bringing
about such result. But had it not
been for the push and untring energy
displayed by Mr.. Skinner, it is doubt
full if the Masons had possessed such a
home and the city a building to be
proud Of.
The plans for the building were de-
signed by Chas. A. Durham, Of Bur
lingtvn, Iowa. The architecture is
of the old English order, and had the
tower been squared up and battle
mented instead Of having been sur
mounted with a cone, it would have
the appearance Of castle. 1t is
substantial building built of stone and
brick. The stone were squared and
numbered in the quarries near Kasota
and the brick are Monomnee sand
rolled red cherry. The stone and
brick work was done by Phillips &
Bartlett, of Huron, the same con-
tractors that built our public school
building, and is guarantee that the
work has been well performed. Dib-
BILE and Wilson, of this city, did the
plastering and hard finishing. The
woodwork and finishing was in charge
Of III. G. Moffatt, also of this city. and
J. J. Mcdonald did the painting and
decorating. The combined efforts of
these people have produced good re-
suits and the Masonic temple will, for
many years to come, stand as a mon
ument to their abilities.
The building is situated at the cor
ner of Main and Newton streets,
facing the east and fronting on Main.
1t is entirely isolated from other
buildings, making the upper floor all
the more desirable for lodge room
purposes. 1t is 5OxS5 feet and IS feet
to the top of tower. The tower is on
the northeast corner and starts from
the second floor.
The front half of the basement has
been fitted up for restaurant purposes
and will be occupied by Fred Harvey.
There is one room 22x35; ladies' par
lor 20x22, and q kitchen 16x22.
The first floor has been divided into
two store rooms, each 22x83, and IA
feet high in the clear. The south half
is occupied by G. E. West & Co., fur
niture dealers, and the north half will
be occupied by G. A. Skinner & Co.'S.
mercantile establishment before the
close of the month. The whole front
is of heavy plate glass, with two large
windows, one fronting on Newton
street facing north and the other fac
ing the depot on the south, both set
with heavy plate glass. A more COM
plete description of the interior will
be given in the near future.
The entire second floor will be occu-
pied by the Masons. Entrance to the
second floor is effected through door
from Newton street, on the north
side and near the west end Of the
building. The ascent is made by a
broad flight of polished oak steps,
landing at once in the hall which is 6
feet wide and extends nearly through
the building.
Immediately at the right and on the
south side of the hall is the door open
ing into the reception room, room
l2xlS, which is lighted by two large
double windows, one facing west and
and the other south. A very pleas
ant room, indeed. The next door on
the same side of the hall opens into
| .ho orroory which is 14XlS and has an