Centralia Elks Lodge facts for kids
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The Centralia Elk's Lodge
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Formerly listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places
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 Location in Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Location | 328 E. Broadway, Centralia, Illinois |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | c. 1930 |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 08001171 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | November 7, 2011 |
| Removed from NRHP | January 2, 2020 |
The Centralia Elks Lodge was a special building in Centralia, Illinois. It was built between 1929 and 1931. This building was home to the Centralia chapter of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. The Elks are a social and charitable group.
The building had a grand style called Classical Revival. This means it looked like ancient Greek or Roman buildings. It had tall, fancy columns and decorative details.
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What Did the Elks Lodge Look Like?
The Centralia Elks Lodge was designed with a classic look. It had big columns at its entrance. These were called Ionic columns, known for their scroll-like tops.
Special Architectural Details
The building had many interesting features. The windows on the second floor had special tops called pediments. These are triangular or arched shapes. The windows also had decorative brackets underneath them. Brackets are supports that stick out from a wall.
There were also cornices, which are decorative ledges, at the top of each floor. A fancy carving called a cartouche sat on the roofline. It was bordered by scrolls, adding to the building's elegant design.
The Building's Journey: New Owners and Uses
Over the years, the Centralia Elks Lodge building changed hands many times. It was used for different purposes.
From Elks to Petroleum Building
In 1938 and 1939, the Elks group sold the building. A group of local business people bought it. They then rented it out to the Shell Oil Company. Because of this, the building became known as the Petroleum Building.
Around this time, a bowling alley was opened in the basement. It was a fun place for people to gather and play.
Home for Veterans
In 1946, the Centralia chapter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars bought the building. The VFW is a group for people who have served in the military. They used the second floor as a meeting hall.
In 1951, a fire happened in the building. This fire caused the bowling alley to close down. However, the VFW continued to use the building for their meetings.
A Historic Landmark
The Centralia Elks Lodge building was recognized for its importance. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 7, 2011. The National Register lists buildings, sites, and objects that are important in American history.
Later, in 2020, the building was removed from this list.
Images for kids
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The Centralia Elks' Lodge building.
