The Washington times., 1906-07-01
Property Valued at Over
a MilliOn--NeW Ma
sonic Temple.
ARCHITECTURAL BEAUTY
Valuations Have Increased
218 Per Cent-HandSome
Buildings to Adorn City.

Fraternal bodies are 10 play no unIu-
portant part in the evolution of the
Greater Washington if the developments
of the past few years are Indicative of
what may be expected in the future.
With present holdings of realty agzre-
eating upward Of "A million dollars pIans
are already under way looking 10 the
doubling Of their holdings and the erec-
Jion OF handsome buildings that Will be
ornaments to the city and landmarks
second only in Importance to the Cap
itol. the Washington Monument. and
the magnificent structure in which Is
housed the Library Of Congress
What fraternalism Is doing for ths
development of the city is a subject in
which probably half of the city's pop-
ulation is interested in one way or an
other and yet but few realize that the
new Masonic Teaple, soon to be erected
on Thirteenth street at the intersection
OF New York avenue and II street
alone will represent an investment as
great as the total value of the real
estate holdings that have been accumu-
lated by the united orders in the past
half century.
An Increase of zIs Per Cent.
If figured upon a percentage basis II
will be found that the buildings that
have been erected in the past few years.
augmented by those for which plans
have been drawn and which may he
looked upon as improvements certain of
consummation in the near future. will
represent an increase of 21S per cent
over the total holdings accumulated
since the dawn Of the city's history.
The older buildings, in distinction
from hTrF
for which ground has not yet been
broken. at liberal valuation will not
represent a greater sum than $3.50 600
In comparison with this Improvement
now accomplished or for which plans
have assumed a tangible shape Involve
expenditures exceeding $l.420, 900, which
together with present holdings will
bring the total value of real estate in
the District of Columbia owned by
fraternal organizations considerably
over 100000.
OF the older buildings Odd Fellows
Hall and the Masonic Temple stand
conspicuOusly to the fore. The former
is located on the east side Of Seventh
street northwest, and for years was
the gathering place Of the most con-
spicuOus and representative audiences
in the Capital City. Here many his
tOric events have transpired. and its
unmistakable outlines will ever stand
conspicuous in the memories Of those
whose thoughts revert to the scenes
when tramping thousands turned their
footsteps from the bloody battlefeIds
OF Virginia toward their Northern
homes, to take up again the cythe in
place of the sword and bayonet, which
they had so long welded with brav-
cry equaled only by the foes whom they
had faced
The Old Mother Lodge Building.
The old Masonic Temple, at the
northwest corner of Ninth and + streets
northwest, while not so old a structure |
IS none the less conspicuous in the
memory of the older residents Of the
city. While constructed primarily for /
the housing of the many lodges affli- |
ated with the Masonic fraternity, its 1
large hall was frequently the gathering |
place of distinguished audiences of a !
more general character. The building /
was constructed and is owned by a |
stock company, in which many of the |
lodges. communicates. and chapters are |
interested.
The building long since has been out |
grown, however, and a number of the /
lodges have found it desirable 10 ac-
quire their own halls in the localities in 4
which their members reside Among
the buildings that have thus been erect /
ed or purchased is the comfortable |
property at Fourth street and Pennsyl- |
vania avenue southeast. owned by
Naval Lodge; the building in George |
town in which the several lodges ir |
that locality are interested: the Ma |
sonic hall just acros the bridge in Ana !
costa: and several smaller holdings |
The Scottish Rite Hall at 1907 @ street !
northwest. is another Masonic holding
that is rapidly Increasing n value. as
is also the homo of this branch Of the |
order. for the Southern Jurisdiction, at
433 Third street northwest
The home of the Elks on E street. be !
tween Tenth and Eleventh streets. |
northwest. not forgetting the odd Eel |
lows Hall in Georgetown. completes |
the list of those buildings that are
identified with the older city.
Foremost among the newer structures !
stands the beautiful building that has |
ben designed 90 occupy the command |
ing location at the corner of New Y"r
avenue and Thirteenth streets. where /
in the Washington home of Masonry /
will find quarters When completed it !
viii stand as a monument TO unrecord- |
ed heroes of both sexes. whose self-sac- !
rihce and devotion will soon cuIminate |
J.. The accomplishment of a purpose that |
was overwhelming in magnitude, and l
fraught with difficulties that at times
seemed almost unsurmOuntable.
From morning until far into the night /
for weeks at q time. men and women 1
worked side by side. in their efforts 10 ,
bring TO n successful conclusion the /
several fairs and many enterprises that i
have been the means of obtaining the /
necessary money for the enterprise.
Property Will Cost Half Million.
The total price for the land was |
$4,000. the first fair raising the neces-
sary funds to make the purchase and /
the second one. which proved even more
successful than the first, netting nearly /
$4,000. paying off the Indebtedness and !