Riverfront in Wilmington in New Hanover County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
St. John's Lodge
1803-1805
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 15, 2023
1. St. John's Lodge Marker
Benjamin Jacobs, Builder
Transitional Georgian-federal style structure built for St. Johns Lodge No. 1, Ancient York Masons and shared by Concord Chapter; Masonic Mural (c.1809) remains. Purchased in 1824 by Thomas W. Brown (1803-1872), silversmith and jeweler, who converted the lodge to a residence and added two-story frame wing to left rear. Right wing added for school for young ladies (1895-1920). Henry Bacon McKoy purchased the building in which James H. McKoy operated St. Johns Tavern (1943-1955). Donated in 1964 to house St. Johns Gallery (1962-2002).
Preservation Leadership since 1966
Erected by Historic Wilmington Foundation, Inc.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Education • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the North Carolina, Historic Wilmington Foundation series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1803.
Location. 34° 13.969′ N, 77° 56.847′ W. Marker is in Wilmington, North Carolina, in New Hanover County. It is in Riverfront. It is on Orange Street just west
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Coastal Plain and on the Cape Fear Coast. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Tidewater. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, 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, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, 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: Hogg-Anderson House (within shouting distance of this marker); Second and Orange Street USO Club (within shouting distance of this marker); Cowan House (within shouting distance of this marker); Wright-Murphy House (within shouting distance of this marker); Dr. Anderson's Office (within shouting distance of this marker); Davis-Warshauer House (within shouting distance of this marker); Sebrell House (within shouting distance of this marker); Mitchell-Anderson House (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilmington.
Regarding St. John's Lodge. Contributing property in Wilmington Historic District, National Register of Historic Places #74001364. Today this building is home to The Children's Museum of Wilmington. The new Saint John's Lodge #1 AF & AM building is located at 4712 Oriole Drive in Wilmington, NC.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. St. John's Lodge No. 1, A.F. & A.M.
Also see . . .
1. St. John's Lodge.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 15, 2023
2. St. John's Lodge Marker
In 1754 the first charter for a lodge was warranted for the colony by the English Grand Lodge. The charter formally established a lodge for those men in Wilmington who were already meeting. Before the Revolution, the Masons in Wilmington met in William Hoopers home on Masonboro Sound and other private residences and properties. Their meetings on the sound contributed to the naming of that area. They also met at Dorseys tavern in town but later moved to their own quarters which were damaged by a fire in 1798. The members resolved to construct a new structure and in 1804 constructed a building on Orange Street between Front and Second.(Submitted on June 20, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Get to know the Orange Street lodge that holds 200 years of Wilmington history.
St. Johns Lodge has been in near continuous use since it was first occupied by the St. Johns chapter of the Masons in 1805. Thanks to a major restoration from 1986-87, it looks remarkably as it did in 1805. When the cornerstone was laid on June 12, 1804, Thomas Jefferson was president. The construction of the lodge is in the English Georgian Style. The walls of the lodge are 18 inches thick and are believed to have made from bricks brought from England as ballast in sailing ships.(Submitted on June 20, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
3. National Register of Historic Places Nomination
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 15, 2023
3. St. John's Lodge (northeast elevation)
St. John's Masonic Lodge is one of the best known and most historically significant of Wilmington's early buildings. St. John's, built of brick, the front being laid in Flemish bond, is two stories high with a hip roof. A stuccoed belt course runs across the five-bay facade. The central ground level entrance was closed when the street grade was elevated; at about the same time the building was adapted for residential use, the door was moved to the second level.(Submitted on June 20, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 15, 2023
4. St. John's Lodge (northwest elevation)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 22, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 20, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 751 times since then and 61 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 20, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
