Evening star., 1904-03-17
GROUNDBROKEN TODAY
Work Begins on the New
Pythian Temple.
LARGE CROWD ATTENDS
THE BUILDING TO OCCUPY AN
ENTIRE LOT.
Located on Ninth Street Northwest
Between Massachusetts, Ave-
nue. and L Street.
LARGE CROWD ATTENDS

~
menced on the site of the rev Pythian
Temple, on the west side of 9th street be-
tween Massachusetts avenue and L street
nothwest The erection of this building
has long been the aspiration of the Pyth-
ians of this District, and for q number of
years they have been exerting every effort
toward the consummation Of the enterprise.
The success of the Pythian fair of last
April finally assured it and this morning
work began on the site, as stated.
The raising of the first shoyelfuls of
earth from the excavation this morning
was made the occasion of an Interesting
Pythian gathering. A number Of promi-
nent members of the order, accompanied
by ladies, assembled at the site of the
temple, No. 1912 9th street northwest
shortly before o'clock. The honor of
lifting the first shovelful of earth fell to
Miss Mamie B. Hardell, the fourteen-year-
old daughter of Past Grand Chancellor
John w. Hardell. His younger daughter,
Miss Zeila Hardell, used the pick in the
interesting ceremony.
Among those in attendance were Thomas
Riley, who has been conspicuous in promot-
ing the enterprise and in the success of
several Pythan enterprises; Past Grand
Chancellors Amos J. Cunning, John M
Kline, John w. Hardell, Frank ii. Hosford,
William M. Hodges and d. 4. Wiber, the
latter the energetic chairman of the Pyth-
ian fair general committee; Col. Harry
Coggins of the uniform rank, K. of p, and
Harry ]. Gasson, grand keeper of records
and seal, long leading member Of the
Pythian building committee. Mr.. GasSon Is
the present secretary both of the knights
of Pythias Hall Association and the COM
mittee of forty-ive. Others III attendance
were Grand Inner Guard George F. Day,
w. H. Childers, Willard 8. Robbins, Daniel
c. Fahey, Lee Mockbee, c. w. Jones,
Charles A. Young and William a. Kim
mel. The latter is the contractor for the
building.
Mr.. Hardell, whose daughters performed
the duty of lifting the first earth for the
structure, is a past grand chancellor, and
at present president of the knights of
Pythias Hall Association. He has also
committee of forty-five. which for years
has been in charge of the work of promot-
ing the erection Of this important Pythian
structure.
Description Of Building.
The lot on which the structure is to be
erected is Al feet wide by 100 feet deep, and
the building will cover the area. 1t will be
four stories in height, comprising seventy
feet above the sidewalk, with good base
ment story and with intermediate or mez-
canine floor in front and rear. The front
facade will be of Pompeiian brick and
stone, in Italian renaissance design, with
bold side and central pilasters having Co.
rinthian caps and surmounted with en-
riched frieze and cornice having a central
broken pediment, in which will be a coat
of arms of the order, consisting of shield,
helmet, swords, etc. as a prominent fea-
ture. Above this will be imposing attic
story, the whole being surmounted by a
massive medallioned and enriched cornice.
The main first-story entrance will be in
the center of the building, which floor will
be only four feet above the sidewalk, and
the basement story will be reached from
fhn ctr n cnf n do
iron stairs placed in the front area.
The basement story will contain an ar
mcry 43 feet wide by 81 feet long and 10
feet high, approached through wide en-
trance hall. In the rear of the armory will
be located the room for the heating ap-
paratus, with coal cellars under the public
alley, and there will also be in this rear
part of the building a serving room in con-
nection with the kitchen on the second
story, as also back staircase with en-
trance from the side alley. the staircase
running clear up to the second story.
Large Hall in First Story.
On the first story, and raised only four
feet above the public sidewalk, will be a
large hall 43 feet wide by 6o feet long and
% feet high with an additional elevated
stage or platform In rear Is feet deep by 25
feet wide. On the left side of the entrance
hall will be a ladies' room, and on the
right-hand side of the entrance hall will
be a wide staircase and an electric elevator
communicating with the upper stories.
The intermediate or mezzanine story, be-
tween the first and second floors. will con-
tain in front a grand lodge office. with
toilet room, and also public gallery In
connection with the public hall. On this
story, in the rear. will be a store room.
communicating with the kitchen above by
an Independent set of stairs.
The second story will contain one large
lodge DOM. 43 feet wide by "a feet long and
IA feet high, with necessary ante rooms
and waiting rooms, and in the front part