Missabe Mountain Town Hall/Old Masonic Temple
Northeast corner of Adams Avenue and Garfield Street | Architect: William T. Bray | Built: 1906 | Enlarged: 1920 | Lost: 1973
The original Missabe Mountain Town Hall, 1906. Courtesy of Archives & Special Collections, University of Minnesota Duluth
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The Eveleth Masonic Temple after expanding and remodeling the former town hall.
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The old Eveleth Masonic Temple was located in the former town hall for the now-defunct Missabe Mountain Township. The original hall was built in 1906 and was outside the city limits until 1910. The building used red pressed Menominee brick with with Bedford limestone trim and a centered front porch. Inside, the main floor held township functions: the clerk’s office with a fireplace and vault, a board meeting room, and a justice court. A steam heating plant and coal room were located in the basement, and the building was wired for electricity. On the second floor was a large public hall with eight sizable windows intended for entertainments and gatherings. The building sat north on Adams Avenue overlooking the mining district toward Virginia. Missabe Mountain Township was organized in 1892 and was dissolved in 1977 when the City of Eveleth annexed the township's remaining boundaries.
When the township offices were relocated, the Eveleth Masonic lodge purchased the building. The cornerstone for a new addition was laid on November 15, 1919, and the expanded and renovated building was dedicated in October 1920. The project cost $55,000 and added a lodge room, lounge rooms, and a dining room/ballroom. The dedication brought nearly 2,000 northern Minnesota Masons to town. The project cost $55,000 and added a lodge room, lounge rooms, and a dining room/ballroom. A dedication address was given by former Duluth School Superintendent Robert E. Denfeld, and Oliver Iron Mining Co. District President J. H. Hearding spoke on early lodge history.
The lodge was destroyed by fire on February 15, 1973. Because of the cold temperature that day, the building was encased in ice following the blaze. A house was later built on that lot. The cornerstone from the old temple was relocated to the current one, formerly First Lutheran Church.
When the township offices were relocated, the Eveleth Masonic lodge purchased the building. The cornerstone for a new addition was laid on November 15, 1919, and the expanded and renovated building was dedicated in October 1920. The project cost $55,000 and added a lodge room, lounge rooms, and a dining room/ballroom. The dedication brought nearly 2,000 northern Minnesota Masons to town. The project cost $55,000 and added a lodge room, lounge rooms, and a dining room/ballroom. A dedication address was given by former Duluth School Superintendent Robert E. Denfeld, and Oliver Iron Mining Co. District President J. H. Hearding spoke on early lodge history.
The lodge was destroyed by fire on February 15, 1973. Because of the cold temperature that day, the building was encased in ice following the blaze. A house was later built on that lot. The cornerstone from the old temple was relocated to the current one, formerly First Lutheran Church.
Sources:
Eveleth's Diamond Jubilee souvenir booklet
The Eveleth News, December 22, 1906
The Eveleth News, October 14, 1920
The Duluth Herald January 11, 1921
Duluth and St. Louis County, Vol. II, by Walter Van Brunt, 1922
www.evelethmasons.com
Eveleth's Diamond Jubilee souvenir booklet
The Eveleth News, December 22, 1906
The Eveleth News, October 14, 1920
The Duluth Herald January 11, 1921
Duluth and St. Louis County, Vol. II, by Walter Van Brunt, 1922
www.evelethmasons.com
