Masonic Temple Building (Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, North Carolina) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Masonic Temple Building
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Modern view of the Masonic Temple Building
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 Location in North Carolina
Location in the United States
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| Location | Raleigh, North Carolina |
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| Built | 1907 |
| Architect | Charles McMillan, architect; Carolina Construction Co., builder |
| Part of | Fayetteville Street Historic District (ID07001412) |
| NRHP reference No. | 84002533 |
| Added to NRHP | May 3, 1979 |
The Masonic Temple Building is a cool old building located at 133 Fayetteville Street in Raleigh, North Carolina. It was built in 1907 and was special because it was North Carolina's very first skyscraper made with a new material called reinforced concrete.
This building was constructed by a group called the Masons. It shows how much Raleigh was growing in the early 1900s and how important the Masons were becoming. The Masonic Temple Building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. This means it's an important historical site. It's also a Raleigh Historic Landmark.
Interestingly, there are two buildings in Raleigh with the same name on the National Register of Historic Places. The other one is the Masonic Temple Building on Blount Street, which was also built in 1907.
Building History and Design
The Masonic Temple Building has seven stories. It was designed by an architect named Charles McMillan from South Carolina. The Carolina Construction Co. built it. When it was finished, people were very impressed. This was because it used a new building method: reinforced concrete. This material was a fresh idea for construction back then.
The building's design is a classic example of a "tri-partite" skyscraper. This means it has three main sections, like a column. The bottom three floors are covered with Indiana limestone. This is a strong, light-colored stone. The rest of the building is made of light brick. It also has decorations made from terra cotta, which is a type of baked clay.
The Masons and Their Temple
The Masons are a very old and well-known group. They have local chapters called "lodges." The first Masonic lodge in Raleigh was built just two years after the city was founded. Over time, more and more people joined the Masons. Because their group grew so much, they needed a bigger place to meet. So, they raised money to build this new temple.
The Masonic Temple Building was once used by local Mason lodges. It was also used by the state's Grand Lodge, which is like the main headquarters for Masons in North Carolina. The first floor of the building had shops and stores. The upper floors were used for offices.
In 1951, the Masons sold the building. They moved to a different location, the former Josephus Daniels House. Today, the old Masonic Temple Building in downtown Raleigh is still used for shops and offices.
