The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-12
IDEAL SITE FUR MASONIC HOME All Masons Interested In Re-
 cent Purchase WORK WILL BEGIN SOON Member of Grand Lodge Describes New Property and Shows Ad-
 vantaees of Being Located
 tn Capital City.
WORK WILL BEGIN SOON

The Masons of Alabama naturally feel a deep interest Tn the Masonic home to be established under the aus nices of the grand lodge, and the selec- tion of a site near Montgomery seems to have given satisfaction generally.
 After a most careful and unbiased investigation" said member or the grand lodge, taking into consldera- tion every advantage and disadvantage of the various propositions for the loca- tton of the Masonic home, the grand lodge committee was unanimously anu clearly of the opinion that the future prosperity of the home and US pest interests would be served best by To- eating the institution near Montgom- cry. The committee received number of most hattering propositions and ih- ducements for the location of the nome, and In the investigation of these pro- posals they were most favoraoly lm= pressed by the enthusiasm and the broad liberality of the brethren In the various towns that they visited. It was clearly shown that the motive that promoted the various offers was the love of the fraternity.
 "When the committee entered on it's tour of inspection there was not the least Idea of the possibility of the To- cation of the home at Montgomery That city had made no offer or propo- sition, but after inspecting the vari- ous proposals the committee met n the grand secretary's office at the tenn pie in Montgomery to decide on the | location, when committee of the Montgomery brethren presented them selves and asked for a weeks delay in arriving at a decision, so that they could make an offer for the home In their city. This was granted and when the meeting was held in Montgomery they reported a cash offer of $1o,000 for the location of the home. While this was less than had been offered by other cities, the committee had solely in view what would be best for the fu- ture of the home and best please the fraternity of the state. After giving the subject very careful consideration ,n 1t was decided to locate the home in Montgomery. After this decision was arrived at two days were spent in the city carefully examining the various sites, and it was decided to purchase the La Prade property. embracing 236 acres This Is most admirably situated on the Carter Hill road, within four miles of the courthouse, and lies higher than the state capitol. The Carter Hill of tba driV ways out of Montgomery and is the popular road for automobiles and car riages. The site is on the same road and three-Quarters of mile beyond the Country club, and but three quar- ters of a mile diagonally across from the new Methodist Church college prop erty. The street car system extends to the Country club and will eventu- ally be brought up to the home. ln addition, the Central of Georgia rail- road, extending from Montgomery 10 Savannah, skirts the property for abouL three -eighths of mile, which will place the home in full view of the travelling public and the close proximity of the railroad will prove of great advantage. It will minimize the cost of the erection of the various buildings. as all building material can be delivered at the grounds, and it will be an ito.u Tn the future in the delivery of coal and otner supplies that will be needed. The Cen tral of Georgia will also establish station at the property. which will be convenience to those visiting the home.
 "The members of the committee :e- gard the site as singularly and admira- bly, situated. In fact, it could not be improved upon, and from all hear and understand the fraternity of the state all heartily approve of the action of the committee in the selection-both as regards city and site.
 Montgomery is easy of access from all parts of the state and will be con yenient for the 1900 Masons that an- nually attend the grand lodge com munications to visit the home, thereby keeping alive an interest in the institu- ton and carrying back to their sub ordinate lodges each year a report of the good work that is being done and thereby join in the cooperation and enthusiastic support of every subordi- nate lodge in this grand Jurisdiction. Being situated but four miles from Montgomery, and in the country, 1t will still have the benefit of the oity in the way of the best medical attention which it's inmates may require; it is of easy access to all the hospitals, and it will have all the conveniences that can be offered by a city, besides having a watchfulness and the oversight of a large body of generous and warm hearted Masons that reside at the head quarters of Masonry in Alabama.
 "A subcommittee has been appointed to visit several of the Masonic homes to gain the advantage of their experi- ence and at an early date tho actual work on the home will bs bexun."