Rockhampton Masonic Hall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rockhampton Masonic Hall |
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Rockhampton Masonic Hall, 2020
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| Location | 112-114 Kent Street, Rockhampton, Rockhampton Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1900 - 1914 (early 20th century) |
| Built | 1900 - 1901 |
| Architect | Eaton & Bates |
| Architectural style(s) | Classicism |
| Official name: Masonic Hall, Kent Street, Rockhampton, Masonic Lodge, Masonic Temple | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 23 June 2000 |
| Reference no. | 601488 |
| Significant period | 1900-1901, 1950s (fabric) 1901-ongoing (social) |
| Builders | Bradshaw & Ricketts |
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The Rockhampton Masonic Hall is a special building in Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia. It's known as a heritage-listed site, meaning it's important to the history and culture of the area. This building is a masonic hall, which is a meeting place for members of Freemasonry, a fraternal organization.
It was designed by architects Eaton & Bates and built between 1900 and 1901 by Bradshaw & Ricketts. You might also hear it called the Masonic Lodge or Masonic Temple. This historic hall was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on June 23, 2000.
The Story of Rockhampton's Masonic Hall
Early Days of Freemasonry in Queensland
Freemasonry first started in Queensland in 1859. The very first lodge (a local group of Freemasons) in Rockhampton was called "Leichhardt No. 932." It was named after the explorer Ludwig Leichhardt and officially opened on September 23, 1862.
Rockhampton itself was a new town, with land first sold in 1858. A gold rush nearby in 1858 helped the town grow quickly. Rockhampton became an important port and trading center for Central Queensland.
Rockhampton's First Masonic Halls
The first Masonic Hall in Rockhampton was built around 1862 on Quay Lane. Sadly, this building was destroyed by fire in 1866.
A second Masonic Hall was built in 1869 on East Street. The first meeting there happened in January 1870. People described it as a "dreary looking" building from the outside, but special on the inside.
Rockhampton continued to grow, especially after gold was discovered at Mount Morgan in 1882. This brought more wealth and led to many new buildings in the city.
New Lodges and a New Hall
In 1882, another Masonic lodge was formed in Rockhampton, called "Douglas No. 677." It was named after John Douglas, a former Premier and a well-known Freemason.
By 1889, the East Street hall was no longer suitable for meetings. It was too close to public areas and horse stables. So, the Leichhardt and Douglas Lodges decided to form a company to build a new hall. Many Rockhampton citizens, even those who weren't Freemasons, bought shares in this company.
The company bought land at 110 Kent Street. Construction of Rockhampton's third Masonic Hall began in 1900.
The Grand Opening of the Kent Street Hall
The new Kent Street Masonic Hall was officially opened on February 27, 1901. The local newspaper, Rockhampton's Morning Bulletin, reported that the hall cost £2500. It was praised as the "finest Masonic Hall in Queensland." People especially liked its good design and perfect sound quality.
The first Masonic meeting in the new Kent Street hall took place just a few days later, on March 6, 1901.
The architects, Eaton and Bates, were a well-known team in the area. They designed many important buildings in Rockhampton and other parts of Central Queensland.
What the Hall Looks Like Inside
The Kent Street Masonic Hall is a two-story building made of stone and brick. The upper floor has the main lodge room, a refreshment hall, and dressing rooms. The lower floor was used for parties, dances, and other public events. In the 1950s, the building was extended. Later, the ground floor was turned into a second lodge room, and air conditioning was added.
Changes in Masonic Lodges
Over the years, the Masonic lodges in Rockhampton saw some changes. In 1904, the "Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Queensland" was formed. Douglas Lodge No. 677 joined this new group and became Douglas No. 13.
Later, in 1921, the "United Grand Lodge of Queensland" was formed. Douglas Lodge No. 13 changed its name to "Athelstane Lodge," named after the Athelstane Range near Rockhampton. Another lodge, Douglas Lodge No. 23, kept the "Douglas" name.
The Kent Street Masonic Hall is still used by Rockhampton's Freemasons today. It has been an important center for their social and cultural activities since 1901.
Design and Features
The Masonic Hall is a two-story building facing Kent Street. It stands out in the neighborhood.
Front of the Building
The front of the building, facing Kent Street, has many decorative details. It has strong horizontal lines and special bands of stone that divide the upper and lower levels. There's a fancy cornice (a decorative molding) with small block-like features called dentils, and a balustraded parapet (a low wall with decorative railings) at the top.
The windows on the upper floor and the main entrance have triangular tops called pediments. The windows on the lower level have arched tops.
The middle part of the front sticks out a bit. It has an arched opening and a stone railing for the upper-level balcony. There are tall, thin columns called pilasters with round tops and ball decorations at the corners. The very top of this central part also has a triangular pediment.
Other Parts of the Building
Behind the front section is a two-story wing that holds the Lodge Room and meeting halls. This part has arched windows and a gable roof (a roof with two sloping sides), but it's not as decorated as the front. On the lower level, there are smaller extensions on both sides with sloping roofs.
Why This Place Is Special
The Rockhampton Masonic Hall is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register because it meets several important criteria:
- It shows how Queensland's history has changed.
The Kent Street Masonic Hall was built specifically for the Freemasons in Rockhampton. It's the third and only remaining Masonic building in the city. It was built during a time when Rockhampton was growing fast, especially after the discovery of gold at Mount Morgan.
- It shows the main features of this type of building.
This Masonic Hall is a great example of a building designed for Freemasonry. It's a grand and noticeable building in the street. It also shows the architectural style of Eaton and Bates, who were very important architects in Rockhampton during the late 1800s and early 1900s.
- It is beautiful and important to look at.
The hall has a special look that the community values. It's a grand example of how buildings were designed in the region, especially for the special needs and symbols of Freemasonry.
- It has a strong connection to the community.
The Kent Street Masonic Hall is very important to the Rockhampton community, especially to local Freemasons and their families. It has been the main place for Freemasonry in the city since 1901. It's also a key part of the history of several Masonic lodges in Rockhampton, some of which started as far back as 1862.
