The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1909-09-01

ported by heavy polished granite pill
lars. The portal formed by this arch
extends out in front of the building
even with the sidewalk, giving a
pleasing effect to the entire structure
Above the main entrance a tower
is carried up through the floors to q
full story above the cornice. This is
covered by a pyrimidal roof supported
by twelve Corinthian columns. At
the four corners are placed Masonic
pillars. AT the apex of the tower roof
is the double eagle of the Scottish Rite
and this is finally surmounted by a
gilt crown which is 100 feet above the
sidewalk.
The Interior of the Structure.
While the exterior ofthe building is
highly pleasing it is the interior thai
| creates enthusiasm ard demonstrates
that the temple is admirably arranged
for the work for which 1t was intend
ed. The basement door is only three
feet below the level Of the street. Here
are the Offices Of the grand secretary,
the secretary of the Scottish Rite bod
les, the vaults for keeping the arch
ives, the Masonic library located in a
fire proof room and the work of the
lodge of perfection. Across the cor
ridor which extends the full length of
the building is the gymnasium OF the
Masonic club including tub and shower
baths. Back of this are several rooms
in which the work Of various degrees
may be presented.
| On the first floor are three large par
lors and the club room of the Masonic
iOI1tl = sosn ~. n a. -
pride of every Mason is located. This
is the large auditorium which Is COM
pletely fitted up for presenting any OF
the various degrees. This large room
is 55xs5 feet and extends through two
/ stories with dome 40 feet in diameter.
| The ceiling of this dome is 46 feet
above the floor. A large balcony over
hangs the front and parts OF two sides
Of the auditorium while in the rear Is
a large stage fully equipped with
scenery and other necessary requisites
for producing electrical and other eff
fects in the exemplification of any de-
/ gree in Masonry. This stage is 35x55
feet and Is equipped with $50 electric
flights. The auditorium has a seating
capacity of 1900 people.
Between the balcony and the audi
forum Is an organ and choir loft. A
fine pipe organ viii be installed in this
location within a short time and will
be a great addition to the effectiveness
Of the work
On the irst floor are also the bus
mess rooms Of the Blue Lodge Chap
ter and Commandry, the Red Cross
room and sixteen property and robine
rooms.
On the second floor is large ban
quet hall, dining hall and a large and
completely equipped kitchen Through
out the building Is finished in quarter
sawed oak with the single exception
i Of the Red Cross room which Is es-
i peciaIly designed and finished
This is, In brief, the description Of
the great Masonic building. which II
in the amount of floor space the second
largest used exclusively for Masonic
purposes in the world, the largest 5einf
in Philadelphia
It IS an example of what can be done
4 by individual effort with one end III
/ view For a city the sire OF Fargo
1t Is something little more than won.
or pen could do Of the enthusiasm an(
n spgsNSA VI NadH0AfAy HI INbTtu sDdk0tH.
The Masonic Library.
One of the interesting and valnabI,
possessions Of the local Masonic bod
les is a fine library consisting OF fuIly
600 volumes. There are 1900 Ma
sonic and miscellaneous volumes be-
sides fully that number Of grand lodg.
proceedings. There are also man,
unbound magazines. These are KEEP
IN large fire proof room which VIII
effectively preserve the volumes shout.
the temple have the misfortune of re
celvtng a visit from the demon IRE
The Fargo Masons learned the lessor
OF providing FIRE proof apartments fo
valuable documents In 1893 when III
was consumed In the memorable con
Migration 81 June 7 Of that year
When ths Grand Lodge A, II a A
MI of North Dakota was organized Il
i1e99, 1t had the fortune Of possessin
la friend In Theo. 8. Parvin, then gran