Rochester in Oakland County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Masonic Block

Photographed by Joel Seewald, October 4, 2016

1. Masonic Block Marker

Masonic Block Local Historic District:
Preliminary Historic District Study Committee Report PDF
Click for more information.

Inscription.
Built in 1899-1900, the Masonic Block was designed by Edward R. Prall. The Rochester Building Association raised funds for the project. Among its leaders were William Clark Chapman, general manager of Western Knitting Mills and twentieth village president; Enos R. Mathews, ninth village president and former Avon Township Supervisor; and Harvey J. Taylor, a local hardware dealer and farmer. The building's earliest tenants included the Rochester Savings Bank, the U.S. Post Office and the Free and Accepted Masons.

Erected 1988 by Bureau of History, Michigan Department of State. (Marker Number L1442.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list.

Location. 42° 40.848′ N, 83° 8.011′ W. Marker is in Rochester, Michigan, in Oakland County. It is at the intersection of East 4th Street and South Main Street (Michigan Highway 150), on the left when traveling east on East 4th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 400 South Main Street, Rochester MI 48307, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Michigan

and in Greater Detroit.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Rochester Opera House (a few steps from this marker); Three-faced Clock

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Rollin Sprague Building (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); City of Rochester, Michigan (about 600 feet away); Western Knitting Mills (about 600 feet away); Rochester Train Depot and Rochester Elevator (about 700 feet away); Township Hall (about 800 feet away); Western Knitting Mills and Boarding Houses (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rochester.

Also see . . . Main Street Stories: Masonic Block. Article on the Remembering Rochester blog about the Masonic Block. (Submitted on October 5, 2016, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)

Masonic Block and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joel Seewald, October 4, 2016

2. Masonic Block and Marker

Marker is above the fire hydrant.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 22, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 5, 2016, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 600 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 5, 2016, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.