Boone in Boone County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Champlin Memorial Masonic Temple
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 17, 2025
1. Champlin Memorial Masonic Temple Marker
This property has been placed on the
National Register of Historic Places
by the United States Department of the Interior
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1907.
Location. 42° 3.71′ N, 93° 52.787′ W. Marker is in Boone, Iowa, in Boone County. It is at the intersection of Story Street and 6th Street, on the right when traveling north on Story Street. The marker is mounted above eye-level on the southwest corner of the subject building, facing Story Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 602 Story Street, Boone IA 50036, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. 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
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 14 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Lincoln Highway (here, next to this marker); First National Bank (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Boone Suffrage Parade (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Birthplace of Mamie Doud Eisenhower (approx. 0.3 miles away); Dragoon Trail Historical Site (approx. 0.7 miles away); Co. D. 32nd Iowa Infantry (approx. 1.3 miles away); Boone Freedom Rock Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.4 miles away); Cassel Corner Park (approx. 13.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Boone.
Regarding Champlin Memorial Masonic Temple. National Register of Historic Places № 90001853.
From the National Register Nomination prepared by Donald D. Schoof, 10/10/1990:
Situated on the southern edge of the business district along Boone's principal thoroughfare, the Champlin Memorial Masonic Temple has been an important local landmark since its completion in 1907. Designed by Proudfoot and Bird, this two-story edifice is constructed of steel gray pressed brick and rests on foundations of red, hard burnedpaving brick, manufactured locally, over a raised full basement. Like many Proudfoot and Bird public buildings the temple exhibits classical revival influence in terms of its symmetrical form, smooth wall finish, pilastered walls, massive projecting portico with brick pilasters and partially recessed stone columns, large single light window sash, and unenriched entablatures and unadorned parapets along the roof line. This classicism is somewhat restrained, however, and is typical of the firm's generally conservative approach to design.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 17, 20252. Champlin Memorial Masonic Temple MarkerThe marker is mounted on the southwest corner of the building, facing Story Street.
On the interior the entire building features dark colored mission style woodwork that presents a nice contrast to the white walls. Especially noteworthy is the main lodge room on the second floor with its high arched truss roof, heavily beamed ceiling, and balcony supported by huge pillars of dark wood. Except for replacement of the front door, the installation of combination storm windows over the originals, and a rather unobtrusive addition of an elevator, the interior and exterior of the building is little changed.
The Champlin Memorial Masonic Temple is one of the earliest and best-preserved examplesof Proudfoot and Bird, et. al., lodge and club buildings. The property is significant as representative of the work of a master architectural firm and dates from its presence in the state, 1882-1940. This building is one of nine known commissions the firm had in Boone and is believed to be the earliest. The extensive publicity and praise for the building's plan and design in the local press, following its completion in 1907, very likely played a major role in getting the firm Boone commissions in future years.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 17, 20253. Champlin Memorial Masonic Temple Cornerstone
1907
Also see . . . Boone County Historical Center (Wikipedia).
Excerpt: The Boone History Center, previously known as the Champlin Memorial Masonic Temple, is a historic building in Boone, Iowa. Constructed in 1907 as the Champlin Memorial Masonic Temple, the building housed Mt. Olive Lodge No. 79 (a local chapter of the Freemasons) until 1990 (when the lodge moved to a new building). It now houses the Boone County Historical Society. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990.(Submitted on October 28, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 17, 2025
4. Champlin Memorial Masonic Temple
(west/front elevation detail)
(west/front elevation detail)
From the National Register Nomination: The entranceway is one of the attractive features of the building. Two large columns half buried in the walls support the front of the structure. Nothing elaborate has been attempted by the architecture in the entranceway and the result adds a subdued beauty to the building often lacking in structures much more pretentious.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 17, 2025
5. Champlin Memorial Masonic Temple
(south elevation)
(south elevation)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 17, 2025
6. Champlin Memorial Masonic Temple (southwest elevation)
Today known as the Boone County Historical Center, it houses the Boone County Historical Society.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 26, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 42 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 28, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
