Downers Grove in DuPage County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Masonic Temple

A Downers Grove Historic Site

— 1924 —

Masonic Temple Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, August 5, 2026

1. Masonic Temple Marker

Inscription. Architects Fugard & Knapp designed this temple in 1924 for Grove Lodge No. 824, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. The Lodge was chartered October 4, 1893. Charter members included E.E. Downer, G.E. Downer, M.B. Downer, T.S. Rogers, Charles Mochel, W.S. Carpenter and William Repine who served as the first Worshipful Master.

The cornerstone was laid on July 12, 1924. Grove Lodge held their first meeting in their new temple on February 16, 1925. During the Great Depression the building was almost lost. Charles K. McCann, Master in 1937, bought it for taxes and then sold it back to the lodge for $1.00. That check was never cashed but framed on the wall of his room when he died.

At least five new churches called the building home. During WWII the building was used as a Civil Defense Shelter and military motor pool-training center. It also served as a temporary hospital during the 1947 Zephyr train crash.

As with all Masonic Buildings this one is dedicated to Freemasonry, Virtue and Universal Benevolence.

Erected 2011 by Downers Grove Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

lists: Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Religion & Religious Structures • War, World II. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1816.

Location. 41° 47.634′ N, 88° 0.472′ W. Marker is in Downers Grove, Illinois, in DuPage County. It is at the intersection of Curtiss Street and Washington Street, on the right when traveling east on Curtiss Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 923 Curtiss Street, Downers Grove IL 60515, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago.

It is also in the American Midwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in 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: Liberty Tree (within shouting distance of this marker); Farmer's and Merchant's Bank Building (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mochels' Hardware Building (about 700 feet away); The Indian Boundary Line

Masonic Temple, 2026 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, August 5, 2026

2. Masonic Temple, 2026

(about 700 feet away); Indian Boundary / Carriage Step (about 800 feet away); Main Street Cemetery (about 800 feet away); Where Is Pierce Downer Buried? (about 800 feet away); 1832 Log Cabin Footprint (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Downers Grove.

Masonic Temple image. Click for full size.

October 5, 2012

3. Masonic Temple

Masonic Temple Marker and the building’s cornerstone image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, August 5, 2026

4. Masonic Temple Marker and the building’s cornerstone

Credits. This page was last revised on August 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 5, 2012. This page has been viewed 991 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 5, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 3. submitted on October 5, 2012. 4. submitted on August 5, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.