Clearwater Masonic and Grand Army of the Republic Hall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Clearwater Masonic Lodge–Grand Army of the Republic Hall
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Grand Army of the Republic Hall from the southeast
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 Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
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| Location | 205–215 Oak Street, Clearwater, Minnesota |
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| Area | Less than one acre |
| Built | 1888 |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| MPS | Wright County MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 79001259 |
| Added to NRHP | December 11, 1979 |
The Clearwater Masonic and Grand Army of the Republic Hall is a special old building in Clearwater, Minnesota. It was built way back in 1888. This building was a meeting place for two important groups: the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) and a local Masonic Lodge. The ground floor of the building also had shops or businesses.
This historic hall was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. This means it's recognized as an important building for its design and its role in the community's history. It was important because these groups, like the GAR and the Masons, helped lead and improve the community in many ways. They supported education, patriotism, and social life in Clearwater and other towns in Wright County.
Building History
The Clearwater Masonic and Grand Army of the Republic Hall was built by two groups working together. These were the A.C. Collins Grand Army of the Republic Post No. 112 and the Clearwater Masonic Lodge No. 28.
The Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) was a group for soldiers who fought for the Union in the American Civil War. There were 192 GAR groups, called "posts," in Minnesota. The Masonic Lodge is a social and charitable organization. The Masonic Lodge still meets in this building today.
The meeting rooms for both groups were on the second floor. The first floor was rented out to businesses. This helped the groups earn money to keep the building going. This was a common way for groups to manage their buildings back then.
