THE MASONIC TEMPLE
304 Wayne St.
Image courtesy of Sandusky Library Archives Research Center
On December 20, 1886 a joint communication from Science Lodge 50 and Perseverance #329 suggested that a Masonic Home be built in Sandusky. The construction started in 1888 and the cornerstone was laid on June 24, 1889. Today the lodge is shared by two masonic lodges, Perseverance no. 329 and Science no. 50, along with Sandusky City Chapter no. 72, Sandusky City council no. 26, and Erie Commandery no 23. The Temple was designed by H. C. Lindsay of Zanesville in the Romanesque – Revival style. It was constructed by Adam Feick and Brothers. The first Master of Science Lodge no. 50 was Hector Kilbourne who plotted out the original City of Sandusky. Mr. Kilbourne utilized the masonic symbols of the square and compass to arrange the streets which yields some interesting street intersections and a few pointed buildings.
The building suffered a major fire on January 15, 1943 which drastically altered the look of the building in the reconstruction. Masonic Temple, ca. 1960s. Image courtesy of Sandusky Library Archives Research Center
This plaque is mounted at the main door, in the lower left of the archway.
It reads: Many of the Founders of the city of Sandusky were Freemasons. In 1818 Hector Kilbourn, the first Master of Science Lodge #50 F&AM surveyed and laid out the original city Plat incorporating into the street grid the Masonic emblems, the Square and Compasses. Making Sandusky the only city in the world laid out on those Masonic Symbols.
On June 24, 1889 the cornerstone of the Masonic Temple was laid by the Grand Master of Masons in Ohio. The building briefly housed the public Library before the current Carnegie Library building was erected in 1901.
Fire severely damaged the Temple in 1943, but it was rebuilt with several significant modifications, most notably the loss of the NW corner tower & dormers.
Science Lodge #50 F&AM and Perservance Lodge #329 F&AW occupy and administer the affairs of the Temple.
Donated by the Sandusky Main Street Association.
The Kilbourne Plat Historic Marker is located across the street.
The building is still used by the Masons. A variety of tenants occupy the ground floor of the building. READ MORE about the Masons, the Masonic Temple and a little about some of the tenants.