Masonic Temple 1924

Duane's take

The way the marker tells it, here's what you need to know about this place. Travis Lodge No. 117, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, got its charter back in 1852. That's the foundation of this whole story, right there.

A charter older than most things standing in Grayson County. Now, the lodge set its sights on this particular site and acquired it in 1916, but here's the part worth savoring: they didn't break ground on the temple itself until 1924. Eight years of holding onto that land, waiting for the right moment, the right design, the right vision.

Patience is a Masonic virtue, I suppose. When they finally built, they built to impress. The design came from local architects, John Tulloch and the firm of Clyce and Rolfe, and those men did not think small.

They went classical revival, full commitment. Giant order columns out front. A portico.

Fifteen over fifteen windows. And a segmental arch entry pediment that announces this building means something before you ever walk through the door. It's the kind of architecture that makes a person slow down, tilt their head back, and reconsider their hurry.

That temple served as the headquarters for the Masonic Lodge from the day it opened, and it held that role all the way through 1985. Over six decades of lodge meetings, rituals, handshakes, and the kind of business conducted behind columns like those. Some buildings earn their place on a street.

This one, from the looks of it, always knew it belonged.

What the marker says

Travis Lodge No. 117, A. F. & A. M., was chartered in 1852. This site was acquired in 1916, although this classical revival temple was not built until 1924. Designed by local architects John Tulloch and the firm of Clyce & Rolfe, the building features giant order columns and portico, fifteen over fifteen windows, and a segmental arch entry pediment. It remained the headquarters for the Masonic Lodge until 1985. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1988