Masonic Lodge (Missoula, Montana)

The Masonic Lodge in Missoula, Montana, is a Beaux Arts building from 1909. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990.[1]

Downtown Masonic Temple
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Location	120–136 E. Broadway Ave., Missoula, Montana
Coordinates	46°52′19″N 113°59′32″W
Area	less than one acre
Built	1909
Architect	Link & Haire
Architectural style	Beaux Arts
MPS	Missoula MPS
NRHP reference No.	90000649[1]
Added to NRHP	April 30, 1990

History

The property was originally owned by Hugh Forbis, president of the Forbis-Toole Company (an investment company that handled farm loans, mortgages, and irrigation bonds. The company had offices in the building). Ownership stayed in the Forbis family until the Masonic Temple Association purchased the property in 1954.

Since construction, the building has been home to Masonic activities of all kinds including all three of Missoula's Masonic Lodges: Missoula Lodge #13, Harmony Lodge #49 and Sentinel Lodge #155 A.F&A.M. Also The Scottish Rite, York Rite, Eastern Star, Job's Daughters, DeMolay, Daughter's of the Nile and Rainbow Girls meet at the Temple at various times each month. The Masonic Lodge has an impressive meeting room on the third floor as well as a dining room/ kitchen and billiard hall.

Other tenants of the building have included commercial businesses, a Church, barber shop, tea company, a few restaurants, offices and even a business college. Montana Power Company occupied the building for several decades beginning in the 1920s.

The building was designed by Link and Haire, Montana's most prolific early twentieth century architectural firm.[2]

References

1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
2. National Register of Historic Places - Registration Form, prepared by William A. Babcock, Jr., Missoula Historic Preservation Officer, March 19, 1990

External links