Deer Lodge in Powell County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Masonic Lodge
This Property Contributes to Deer Lodge Central Business Historic District
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 7, 2022
1. Masonic Lodge Marker
Inscription.
Masonic Lodge. This Property Contributes to Deer Lodge Central Business Historic District. The Ancient Free and Accepted Masons offered its members support, camaraderie, connections, and community. To the geographically mobile men of the Montana frontier, nothing was more valuable. In 1870, Deer Lodge became home to the fourteenth Masonic lodge chartered in the territory, and on February 22, 1870, some fifty Masons came together to dedicate its new hall. Lauded by the Deer Lodge newspaper as “the second best building on the west side of Montana,” the two-story frame structure cost approximately $6,000 to complete. Fifty years later, Masons replaced that early hall with this brick edifice. The three-story business block incorporates Renaissance Revival features, including an ornate cornice and recessed arched brickwork above the third-floor windows. A variety store, barbershop, telephone company, and other offices rented space on this prime downtown corner. To assure privacy during secret Masonic rituals, no windows look into the lodge’s third-floor ceremonial rooms. Nearly 175 members attended the first meeting held here on March 16, 1920; weather and bad roads caused the Masons to delay the for
The Ancient Free and Accepted Masons offered its members support, camaraderie, connections, and community. To the geographically mobile men of the Montana frontier, nothing was more valuable. In 1870, Deer Lodge became home to the fourteenth Masonic lodge chartered in the territory, and on February 22, 1870, some fifty Masons came together to dedicate its new hall. Lauded by the Deer Lodge newspaper as “the second best building on the west side of Montana,” the two-story frame structure cost approximately $6,000 to complete. Fifty years later, Masons replaced that early hall with this brick edifice. The three-story business block incorporates Renaissance Revival features, including an ornate cornice and recessed arched brickwork above the third-floor windows. A variety store, barbershop, telephone company, and other offices rented space on this prime downtown corner. To assure privacy during secret Masonic rituals, no windows look into the lodge’s third-floor ceremonial rooms. Nearly 175 members attended the first meeting held here on March 16, 1920; weather and bad roads caused the Masons to delay the for
Location. 46° 23.864′ N, 112° 44.107′ W. Marker is in Deer Lodge, Montana, in Powell County. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street and Milwaukee Avenue, on the right when traveling north on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 501-503 Main Street, Deer Lodge MT 59722, United States of America. Touch for directions.
The marker is to the right of the corner, below the U in "New to You" sign.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 7, 2022
3. Masonic Lodge
Credits. This page was last revised on November 10, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 4, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 67 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on November 4, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
