This file portion of www.watertownhistory.org website
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
_________________
(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
