website watertownhistory.org
ebook History of Watertown,
Wisconsin
Masonic Temple
Original Temple Building
2-6 E
Main
Watertown Steam Laundry
previously occupied 2 E Main
Masonic Temple was built on
this site in 1906 [2-6 E Main]
Lodge rooms on the third
floor, banquet rooms on second floor
First floor of this
location later became the site of Fischer’s
1876 In
1876 the first telephone in service in Watertown was installed at the Globe
Milling Co. by the late John B. May, prominent photographer of Watertown, who
conducted his business on the site of the present Masonic temple. WG, 12 29 1932
1902
12 24 The
Mrs. M. E. Parker building on the east end of Main Street bridge [north side]
was sold last Saturday under foreclosure sale to Robert E. Dent for $1100, who
bid it in for the Masonic Lodge of this city.
Previous to this the Masonic Lodge purchased the Chappie
property, consisting of two stores just east of the Parker place [6 E Main?],
the consideration being $2800. A
frontage of 60 feet has been secured. It
is the intention of the Masons to build a fine three story block on the site
with a frontage of 70 feet, the building to extend 10 feet further into the
river than the Parker building.
Plans will be prepared during the winter
months, and work will begin on the building early in the spring. The third story of the building will be used
for the Masonic Hall, the second floor for offices and the first floor for
stores. All modern improvements will be
put in, and nothing will be spared to make it one of the finest business blocks
in the state.
1905
11 04 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
Peoples' Cash Meat Market
located within, 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.
1913
Paul Thom's dancing academy
located in Masonic Temple, 6 E Main, 1913-14 Watertown City Directory
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) Most likely 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
