Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1916-04-26
MASONIC TEMPLE
CONTRACT GOES
To {. {. ROYCE
Lodges Will Spend $4,000
Remodeling and Modern
izing Building.

f. c. Royce. local builder and con.
tractor, Yesterday WAS ava: ded tho
contract for The remodeling and mod
ernizing OF the Masonic building, at
a cost of approximately SD 900. and
the work 20 consume from -four
months to six months.
The closing Of the cont "acl brings
to an end series Of discussions ana
consideration o. plans bN member,
of the board of trustees OF the Mason
ic widow and orphans fund and by
officers of the local lGd9es. relative
to the plans for III WORK For ;wp
years or more. Efforts have been made
to finally decide upon plans for he
construction Of an entirely new build
ing as TIE Masonic temple but cor
ditions were not altog thcr favorable
and l. was finally deti ded TO remodel
and rebuild On the, site, while savfno
the walls Of the buildings already
here
The Masonic building is located on
he northeast co ny o. West Second
avenue and Chestnut street, a most de-
s.rable site in every respect. The
property measures - te from on
Second avenue. by 154 feet dept, On
Chestnut street, running to the alley.
\ t"o-story brick building occupies
thc site. Tao Masonic lodges occupy
the upper floors, while the ground
floor mas been occupied in the rece IT
past by he d. |! Mills drug store and
the pine City Electric company.
Modern Lodge Hail.
Under the plans as finally perfect
cd tho Gntiro Sncnp6 .>F
the building will be new. The west
wall, along Chestnut street, Will have
a veneer of pressed b. ick. this same
material being used on the new Sec
ond avenue 'front.'. The Chestnut street
wall will De nine inches thicker tam
il is now. when the work is COM
Pleted. although The building VII
continue to be ef TWO Stories the rool
will be rails and it will be actually
several feet taller than it is now.
Piaie glass window fronts, tile Ell
frances and ma Die Wainsc0tine will
he features o. the new storerooms.
which Will be modern in very re
spect. The upper floor will be fitted
with hardwood flooring. beamed cell
in2s, and all the modern improve
ments and conveniences. The upper
Sto:y will b. used by the Mason c
lodges exclusively. There will be a
big lodgeroom, measuring 10 feet by
10 feet, and banquet hall measuring
80 feet by 80 feet In addition. Their.
will be parlors, reception rooms.
armcry and kitchen. this latter apar.s
ment to he equipped IN up-to-da,s
hotel style.
The wo,k is 20 be start d by Con-
trac.or Royce within The next ten
days. A large force OF laborers an;
artisans will be employed. TO The end
that the work may be finished at TIE
earll st possible date. While it has
been with some regret tina de cision
was reached not C erect an entirely
new Masonic temple, officers of the
lodges, as we'll as the trustees of Inc
Widows and Orphans find believe
The building. when completed VIII
fully answer the purposc and will be
distinct addition to the list 81
handsome and attractive buildings
in Pine Bluff.
TO Meet at Shrine.
During the period in which thu
work. of constructor al tho Masonic
temple is under way. all the lodges
of the Masonic orders will hold their
sessions at the Shriners' temple, ar
rangements to this effect having been
perfected and announcement made
yesterday.