Kalispell in Flathead County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

Masonic Temple

Main Street Commercial Historic District

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 19, 2020

1. Masonic Temple Marker

Inscription. Seventeen charter members formed Kalispell Lodge No. 42 in 1892. Masons first held lodge meetings in several locations. Work began on this building in 1904, but when the Great Northern Railway moved its division point to Whitefish, the town paused and construction stopped. In a show of faith in the town’s future, the Renaissance Revival style temple was completed in 1905. Designed by architect George Shanley, the lodge hall was upstairs while commercial tenants, including J. C. Penney’s from 1924 to 1956, occupied the ground floor. During World War I, the Century Club ran a store in the basement. There, 115 “liberty-loving women”—including one who had also knitted during the Civil War—sewed and knit everything from surgeons’ gowns and bed caps to sweaters and socks for men in the trenches. The store raised $2,000 for the Red Cross. By 1922, Lodge No. 42 had grown to 400 members who filled the upstairs lodge hall. Despite some changes, the Renaissance Revival style upper story remains pristine, featuring grand arched windows with keystones, intricate brickwork, and ornamental concrete and rough-cut

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stone.

Erected by Montana Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program series list.

Location. 48° 11.761′ N, 114° 18.756′ W. Marker is in Kalispell, Montana, in Flathead County. It is at the intersection of South Main Street and 3rd Street East, on the left when traveling south on South Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 239 South Main Street, Kalispell MT 59901, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Western Montana

and in Glacier Country.

It is also in the American Mountain West

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 19, 2020

2. Masonic Temple Marker

The marker is at the left corner of the building.

distance of this marker: Knight and Twining Block (a few steps from this marker); Main Street Commercial Historic District (within shouting distance of this marker); Cry Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Sauser-Mercord Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Missoula Mercantile/Kalispell Mercantile (about 400 feet away); Heller Building (about 400 feet away); City Water Department (about 400 feet away); Brewery Saloon (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kalispell.

Kalispell Masonic Temple image. Click for full size.

Photographed by U, November 21, 2020

3. Kalispell Masonic Temple

Credits. This page was last revised on December 20, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 21, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 460 times since then and 62 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 21, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.