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Masonic Temple

Original Temple Building

This location became the site of Fischer’s

1900s

Site of Watertown Steam Laundry

1905

11 04 1905

The Masonic Temple is now enclosed and the work of finishing the inside will be pushed vigorously by the contractor and it is expected that it will be ready for occupancy early in the new year.

A flag pole is to be placed upon the Masonic Temple. It will be of iron, 27 feet above the battlement and carry a sixteen foot “Old Glory.” Frank Eaton happened to think of it in time and his patriotic impulses made it possible.

1906

Building was dedicated 06 01 1906

Lodge rooms on the third floor, banquet rooms on second floor

1906

Watertown Daily Times, 06 23 1906

It was the work of an imaginative mind and the prank of a practical joker that the rumor soon spread through the city yesterday morning that the Masonic Temple had been sold by a smooth fakir to a couple of farmers residing near the city.

The rumors started when a couple of tillers of the soil were sitting in a dilapidated carriage in front of the new “Pride of Watertown.” The general appearance of the farmers would lead one to believe that such a story, which was in the effect that they were visited Sunday by the smooth individual who made them easy victims and sold (?) the temple getting $100 down as an evidence of good faith, with the understanding that they were to come to the city yesterday morning and make a payment of $400, which would close the deal and transfer the property.

The facts were that the two farmers came to the city and remained in front of the Masonic Temple for about an hour. They were waiting for the appearance of Attorney Kading on other matters of business, however, and were not waiting to free themselves of their hard earned cash and sitting admiring the new prize as the story ran.

The unsuspecting gentlemen from the rural district must have felt somewhat curious as they sat in their rig the object of curious eyes as they stopped and glanced at the claimed victims who had been victimized into buying a $50,000 building for the trifling sum above mentioned.

It was a story easily believed, essentially in view of the fact that it was not long ago that the Chicago Masonic Temple was sold by a fakir to a couple of unsuspecting farmers for the paltry sum of $2,000, the fakirs securing a snug little sum down.

While the Leader enjoys a good piece of news next to a square meal, it is nevertheless glad that the thing is a fabrication of an imaginative mind and that the $500 of the alleged victims still remains intact.

1907

09 10 In 1902 the local Elks Lodge occupied quarters on the third floor of the Daub Building, 10 E. Main St., and moved in 1907 to the third floor of the Masonic Temple, which was inhabited by the Fischer's Department Store for many decades. WDT

12 27 Liederkranz Society, dancing party given by WD

12 10 Masonic Temple steam also heats area buildings

1909

01 08 New Year ball at Masonic Temple hall, given by the Elks WG

03 19 Masonic Hall enlarged by adding a kitchen. WG

Temple on left, c1909, pre 1916 fire

During the time that Emil Doerr was with the paper [Daily Times] it occupied various locations. It was first located where the Mullen Dairy is now operated. From there the paper moved to the basement quarters in the Masonic Temple, up to time of 1916 temple fire.

1916

Fire of 02 19 1916

1916 Fire

“This is the way the Masonic Temple looks now, since the fire from Friday night. The 3rd floor is in ruins and so is Ryans, Kadings and the Elks rooms - also the hair dressing rooms (1). The candy shop and dance hall (2) seem to be all right; most of the fire was in the northeast corner to all of the 3rd floor. It began in the basement near Ryans place. Sure was some fire. Did not know there was a fire until Sat. Elsa”

Postcard in the archives of St. Paul’s Church, postmarked 02 21 1916, two days after the inferno

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(1) Might be the Masonic Temple Hair Dressing Parlors, Masonic Temple, as noted in 1913-14 Watertown City Directory

(2) Might be associated with the Paul Thom Dancing Academy, Masonic Temple, as noted in 1913-14 Watertown City Directory

Post Fire Image Portfolio

Click to enlarge

Cross Reference:

Today’s Masonic Temple, different building

Peoples' Cash Meat Market located within, 1909