Hailey Masonic Lodge

Hailey Masonic Lodge
Location 100 S. 2nd Ave., Hailey, Idaho
Coordinates 43°31′13.95″N 114°18′44.81″W / 43.5205417°N 114.3124472°W / 43.5205417; -114.3124472Coordinates: 43°31′13.95″N 114°18′44.81″W / 43.5205417°N 114.3124472°W / 43.5205417; -114.3124472
Area less than one acre
Built 1937
Built by John M. Rutter
NRHP Reference # 08000869[1]
Added to NRHP September 12, 2008

The Hailey Masonic Lodge refers to a Masonic Lodge group and to its historic building, which was built in 1937 in Hailey, Idaho. The building has served as a meeting hall since 1937. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2008.[1]

"The National Register designation was awarded for the building's sustained use as a gathering place for leaders of the community, as well as for its architectural significance."[2]

The building is a one-story brick building "covered in red brick brought from Salt Lake City. An arched medallion with the Masonic square and compass is centered over the double-door entryway."[2] The interior includes a dais, a podium, a kneeler and other accoutrements.[3] It includes 20 portraits of past Lodge Masters.[2] The property includes two spruce trees flanking the front entranceway, and, along Bullion Street, mature maple trees.[4]

While the term "Masonic lodge" often refers to a chapter of Freemasons, the term is also often used to refer to a chapter's building. The Hailey Masonic Lodge, as a chapter, known also as Hailey Lodge No. 16, was formed as the Grand Lodge of Idaho's 16th official Masonic chapter in 1884. It grew from 11 men to a peak of 225 during World War I or II. Its first hall was destroyed in 1889 in a fire that burned most of Hailey. Its second hall was also destroyed by fire, in 1927.

The current hall was built in 1937 by John M. (Jack) Rutter, a Mason originally from England, who also built many other Hailey buildings including "The Liberty Theatre, Rialto Hotel, Guyer Hot Springs hotel and pool, St. Thomas Episcopal Church, St. Charles Parish Hall, the Christiana Club, Blaine Manor and Hailey Medical Center, the Harris Block furniture store and apartments and even Hailey’s city water system" over a 70 year career.[3][4]

References

  1. 1 2 National Park Service (2009-03-13). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
  2. 1 2 3 Tony Evans (October 29, 2008). "Hailey Freemasons speak: Once-secret society opens up". Idaho Mountain Express.
  3. 1 2 Karen Bossick (November 6, 2010). "To do good: Masonic lodge sees upswing in membership". Magic Valley Times-News.
  4. 1 2 public hearing notice
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