Auburn Masonic Temple (Auburn, California) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Auburn Masonic Temple
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 Location in California
Location in the United States
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| Location | 948 Lincoln Way, Auburn, California |
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| Built | 1914-1915 |
| Architect | Allen D. Fellows; builder Herdal Brothers of Auburn |
| NRHP reference No. | 11000939 |
| Added to NRHP | December 19, 2011 |
The Auburn Masonic Temple, also known as the Auburn Masonic Hall, is a historic two-story building in Auburn, California. It is located at 948 Lincoln Way on the Central Square. This building is used by a group called the Freemasons.
The Freemasons are one of the oldest and largest friendly societies in the world. They are known for their traditions and for helping their communities.
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A Historic Building
The Auburn Masonic Temple has an interesting history. In 1913, a local group of Freemasons, called Eureka Lodge No. 16, bought two small brick buildings. This Lodge had been around since 1851.
They paid $17,000 for the buildings. Their plan was to turn them into a grander meeting place.
Designing the New Look
The Lodge hired an architect named Allen D. Fellows. He was asked to design a second story for the buildings. He also had to create a new, unified look for the front.
The new design included an entrance to the second floor on the left side. This made the building look like one large structure.
Building in Style
Allen D. Fellows designed the building in the Beaux-Arts style. This style is known for its grand, formal, and decorative look. It often uses stone or brick.
The building's walls were made of brick. Its front was covered with a special material called terracotta. Terracotta is a type of baked clay.
The building was constructed between 1914 and 1915. It was built by Herdal Brothers of Auburn. The official dedication ceremony took place on April 25, 1916.
The terracotta used on the building came from Gladding, McBean and Company. This company is still in business today!
What's Inside Today
The first floor of the building used to be a J. C. Penney store. Today, this part of the building is still used for shops and offices.
The second floor is where Eureka Lodge and other Masonic groups meet. They continue to use it for their activities.
A National Landmark
On December 19, 2011, the Auburn Masonic Temple was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list of important historic buildings, sites, and objects in the United States. Being on this list helps protect the building and recognize its historical value.
