Seattle Dedicates a New Masonic Temple
A grand parade and day-long festivities mark the opening of a new landmark for the city's fraternal societies.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
The main event in fraternal circles here last week was the dedication of the new Masonic Temple. The affair took place on Thursday and drew to the city representatives from various cities of Washington. The parade was a large one, and as it marched through the streets a vast concourse of people looked on. The dedicatory exercises proper were given at 3 o'clock at the audience hall of the building. A large proportion of the officers of the Grand Lodge took part in the impressive ritualistic ceremonies. The oration of Hon. John Arthur, prepared on very short notice, was nevertheless a fine effort and was appreciated accordingly. The music of St. Mark's choir boys, under the leadership of Professor H. Sherman Sharpe, was unusually good. In the evening the festivities continued by the institution of Arcana lodge and the installation of its officers. This was followed by a literary and musical programme and a banquet and dance, all of which events were attended by large numbers. As usual, Seattle bestirred herself to prove worthily hospitable and succeeded in the attempt as only Masons can.
“As usual, Seattle bestirred herself to prove worthily hospitable and succeeded in the attempt as only Masons can.”
The Masonic Temple was a central institution in the social and civic life of 1890s Seattle, a time when fraternal orders functioned as the town’s primary social safety nets. Today, the rapid disappearance of third spaces and community halls highlights how much civic life has been atomized compared to this era of club-based social organization.
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