Inverness in Citrus County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Inverness Masonic Temple

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 6, 2018

1. Inverness Masonic Temple Marker

Inscription. The Masonic Temple for Citrus Lodge #118, F. and A.M., was built on Main Street and dedicated in 1910, ready for occupancy in January, 1911. A splendid three-story brick building costing $17,285, the most costly building in the county. Originally the 1st floor housed two stores, the 2nd floor had five offices and the 3rd floor was the lodge room for the Masons and Eastern Star. After the dedication ceremonies, the crowd (between 1800-2500) flocked to the picnic grounds at the foot of North Apopka Avenue, near the residence of W.H. Warnock, and there feasted on a bountiful dinner of barbecued meats, fried fish, chicken pileau, baked and boiled ham, salads, pies of every description, thousands of loaves of bread, pickles, the whole family of cakes, fruits, barrels of ice water and jugs of excellent coffee. The town cornet band played "Dixie" and other tunes. Walter F. Warnock, Sr., was Worshipful Master of the Lodge at the time the temple was built. He was serving as Clerk of Circuit Court as well as being editor and proprietor of the Chronicle. It is remembered that a movie theater and City Hall were on the 2nd floor as

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well as professional offices. Dr. T.S. Henley and Dr. Harrel Martin (dentists) Dr. Claude Carter, Dr. Cranford and Dr. Gail Osterhout, Attorneys Mannie Scofield, George Scofield, Charles Fitzpatrick, and Donald Bradshaw. For many years Fall's Drugstore occupied the first floor. In 1963 lightning struck the building causing fire damage. After restoration it was decided a new building should be built and in 1965 the Masons and Eastern Star moved to their new location on Zephyr Street and Hendrix Avenue, selling the 1910 Masonic Temple to private enterprise. The third floor was utilized by the County Commissioners early in 1990 for several years.

Erected 2000 by City of Inverness & Rotary Club of Inverness.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Industry & Commerce • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the Rotary International series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1910.

Location. 28° 50.153′ N, 82° 19.876′ W. Marker is in Inverness, Florida, in Citrus County. It is on West Main Street (Old Main Street) east of North

Marker detail: Masonic Temple (<i>historic photo; northwest corner</i>) image. Click for full size.

2. Marker detail: Masonic Temple (historic photo; northwest corner)

Pine Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Marker is a large bronze-like metal plaque, mounted at eye-level directly on the subject building, just to the left of the main front entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 111 West Main Street, Inverness FL 34450, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Florida’s Gulf Coast.

It is also in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Dime Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Citizens Bank (within shouting distance of this marker); The Bank of Inverness (within shouting distance of this marker); Female Veterans Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); The Dampier Building (within

Inverness Masonic Temple (<i>current photo; northwest corner</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by DanTD, Wikimedia Commons

3. Inverness Masonic Temple (current photo; northwest corner)

shouting distance of this marker); World War I and World War II Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Citrus County Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Persian Gulf War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Inverness.

Regarding Inverness Masonic Temple. National Register of Historic Places (2010). Today, the building is known as the "Masonic Business Center," and the first floor continues to be used for retail shops, among them a Subway submarine sandwich shop.

Also see . . . Masonic Temple of Citrus Lodge No. 118, F. and A.M. The Inverness Masonic Temple was designed by prominent Florida architect Wilbur B. Talley and built in 1910 at the corner of West Main Street (now Old Main Street) and South Pine Avenue. In 1989, the Masonic Temple was listed in A Guide to Florida's Historic Architecture, published by the University of Florida Press. The building was purchased by the Drywell Group, LLC in 2006 and they proceeded to renovate and restore the interior and exterior. Wood floors and windows were refinished, period

Inverness Masonic Temple image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 20, 2018

4. Inverness Masonic Temple

furniture, lighting, art, and paint colors were added throughout the building. The exterior brick was re-pointed or painted, windows were repaired and painted, and the metal cornice and Masonic sign were restored. (Submitted on September 2, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Inverness Masonic Temple National Register of Historic Places Plaque (<i>mounted above marker</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 6, 2018

5. Inverness Masonic Temple National Register of Historic Places Plaque (mounted above marker)

Inverness Masonic Temple Plaque (<i>mounted on wall at northeast corner of building</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 20, 2018

6. Inverness Masonic Temple Plaque (mounted on wall at northeast corner of building)

Inverness Masonic Temple (<i>northwest corner view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 20, 2018

7. Inverness Masonic Temple (northwest corner view)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 20, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 1, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 672 times since then and 67 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 2, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 4. submitted on October 26, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 5. submitted on September 2, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 6, 7. submitted on October 26, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.