Evening star., 1950-11-26
Early Sixteenth Street
Childhood RecoIIections of Historic
Thorouehfore Emphasize City's Growth
By John CIoqett Proctor

)ett PROCTOR
sacred precincts Of the White
House and comforting the degrees,
from the 4th to the 32d. inclusive,
on President Andrew johnson.
who remarked that the doctrines
we're such as he had
been practicing and preaching all
his life.
Following this, on December 50,
1870, Mithras Lodge Of Perfection.
No. 2 (afterward changed to No.
-, was constituted. A year hence.
on December Z. Council Of
Princes Of Jerusalem, 18th and
18th degrees. was constituted
under the name Of Kedron Coun-
Gil. No. l. Also, this same date.
a chapter Of Rose Croix. 17th and
18th degrees. was constituted un-
der the name Of Evangelist Chap
ter. No. /. The Council Of Princes
of Jerusalem was subsequently
merged into this chapter.
On January 20. 1874. Robert De
Bruce Council. No. /. was consti-
tuted. and January IL. 1875. Al
bert Pike Consistory was duly
constituted. Orient Lodge Of Per-
fect.on followed in 1885, but went
out Of existence In 1902. its mem
bers affiliating with Mithras
Lodge Of Perfection, No. I. Orient
Lodge Of Perfection held its meet
ings in the Masonic Hall. George
town.
OF this hall Boyden says: "It
was in the chapter chamber OF
the Masonic Hall that James A.
Garfield, afterwards President Of
the United States, applied for the
Scottish Rite degrees. his petit
ton being received on April I.
1871, elected May 2, 1871. receiv-
ing his fourth and NTH degrees
the same date and the intermedi-
ate degrees between that time and
January 2. 1872, when he received
the 14th degree. beyond which he
did not CO."
Sixteenth Street Temple
The local Scottish Rite bodies
in Washington have held their
in a number Of places
since the Civil War. but each move
seems to have brought on i'm
proved conditions, and their latest
temple on upper Sixteenth street
speaks we'll for their progressive
spirit. Their earliest meeting
place. in 1850, was in the Masonic
Hall. corner of Ninth and D
streets. After the war, We are
told, the members met at various
residences until the organization
of Mithras Lodge Of Perfection.
December 80, 1870. in the com
mandery room of the Masonic
Hall. After this Mithras Lodge
held a few Of its meetings at the
residence of J. w. Nairn. ll0s H
street NV. then moved to the
chapter chamber OF the Masonic
Hall. February Z, 1871. In 1875
the bodies moved to the hall at
Seventh and D streets, then over
the National Bank Of the Re-
public, and here they remained
until about September. 1886, when
they moved to the Scottish Rite
1907 G street NV, the
site now occupied by the east
end of the Pals Royal Depart
ment Store. now part Of Wood.
ward & Lothrop.
Prior to 1878 the Supreme
Council. 33d degree. had its head
quarters at 602 D street. the
sovereign grand commander being
Gen. Albert Pike. BY 1883 the
headquarters had been moved to
218 Third street, and the follow
ing year it was again moved to
433 Third street NV. which Is
the southeast corner Of Third
and E. This property. which in
cluded a good-sized residence. was
purchased by the Supreme Coun-
Gil from the Rives estate. and was
probably built by Col. Wright
U. S. A.. who was born in
Washington, fought in the Civil
War. and was retired from the
Army in 1870.
Dedication Ceremonies
After purchasing the property
the Supreme Council made an ad-
dition to the edifice which in
cluded the library. and on October
20, 1884. the building was con.
secrated and dedicated as the
House Of the Temple. the exercises
taking place in the library. The
addition was built to correspond
with the remainder Of the build
ing. and at the time was insured