Columbia in Monroe County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Masonic Lodge & State Theater

100 N Main St

— Historic Main Street —

Masonic Lodge & State Theater Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Thomas Smith, October 25, 2021

1. Masonic Lodge & State Theater Marker

Inscription. Originally built for Columbia Masonic Lodge No. 474, this 1882 building had three stories. The Masons used the two upper floors for meetings, and the first floor as a refreshment parlor until the 1930s and 40s. It then housed the Columbia Grill Restaurant, a favorite hangout for young people. The building was then altered to house the State Theater which remained until 1953 when a fire destroyed most of the upper third floor. Later, the First National Bank remodeled and moved into the first floor. To the left of the building stood Arnin's General Store which later became the second location of the Columbia Grill then finally a Ben Franklin store before its removal.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1882.

Location. 38° 26.587′ N, 90° 11.994′ W. Marker is in Columbia, Illinois, in Monroe County. It is at the intersection of North Main Street and East Legion Street, on the right when traveling north on North Main Street. Touch for map. Marker

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is at or near this postal address: 100 N Main St, Columbia IL 62236, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater St. Louis.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Schneider House (a few steps from this marker); First National Bank (a few steps from this marker); Arlington Hotel & Saloon (within shouting distance of this marker); Vogt Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Rose's Drug Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Tunze Saloon (within shouting distance of this marker); Columbia Star Printing Co (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Miller-Fiege House (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbia.

Another marker

Photographed by Thomas Smith, October 25, 2021

2. Masonic Lodge & State Theater Marker

is no longer nearby. Miller-Fiege Home (was about 500 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Credits. This page was last revised on October 25, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 25, 2021, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. This page has been viewed 380 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 25, 2021, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.