Anoka in Anoka County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Colonial Hall and Masonic Lodge

Circa 1904 and Circa 1922

Photographed by McGhiever, June 30, 2024

1. Colonial Hall and Masonic Lodge Marker

Inscription.

Colonial Hall is a Georgian Revival style building that was designed as a home and medical-practice office for Doctors Alanson and Flora Aldrich. They were renowned for their civic engagement and medical practice. Dr. Flora Aldrich was one of the founders of the Philolectian Society. This two-story, 17-room house was designed by Champlin resident Frederick Marsh. The Masonic Lodge was built as an addition to the Hall in 1922. The Lodge served as a recruiter's office during WWII and was a museum and office for the Anoka County Historical Society for 30 years.

National Register of Historic Places 1980

Erected by City of Anoka Heritage Preservation Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Science & Medicine • War, World II • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1904.

Location. 45° 11.82′ N, 93° 23.215′ W. Marker is in Anoka, Minnesota, in Anoka County. It is at the intersection of 3rd Avenue and Monroe Street, on the right when traveling north on 3rd Avenue. The marker is next to the front steps of the Colonial Hall, which is

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now an antique store called the Big White House. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1900 3rd Avenue, Anoka MN 55303, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American Midwest,

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 Rupert’s Land

and also the territory of the Mississippian Culture.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Anoka Post Office (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Jackson Hotel (about 700 feet away); Father Louis Hennepin's Exploration in 1680 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ticknor House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Main Street Bridge (approx. ¼ mile away); Lincoln Flour Mill (approx. ¼ mile away); Rum River Dam (approx. ¼ mile away); Robert W. Akin (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Anoka.

Also see . . . Colonial Hall and Masonic Lodge on Wikipedia.

Colonial Hall and Masonic Lodge and Marker (to the left of the front steps) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by McGhiever, June 30, 2024

2. Colonial Hall and Masonic Lodge and Marker (to the left of the front steps)

(Submitted on October 14, 2025, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota.)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 14, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 14, 2025, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 49 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 14, 2025, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota.