Masonic Hall (Mendocino, California)

Masonic Hall
Location

10500 Lansing Street

Mendocino, California
Built 1866
Architect Eric Albertson and John Gschwend
Governing body Private
Part of

Mendocino and Headlands Historic District (#71000165

[1])

The Masonic Hall, also known as the Masonic Temple and Mendocino Lodge No. 179, is an historic Masonic building located at 10500 Lansing Street in Mendocino, California, coordinates 39°18′24″N 123°47′55″W / 39.30667°N 123.79861°WCoordinates: 39°18′24″N 123°47′55″W / 39.30667°N 123.79861°W. It was built in 1866 of local redwood by Eric Albertson and John Gschwend. Eric Albertson, who was the first worshipful master of Mendocino Lodge No. 179, also crafted from a single redwood trunk the unique sculpture of Time and the Maiden which adorns the top of the hall's cupola. Also known as Father Time and the Virgin, the sculpture incorporates a book and a fallen column and has become a local landmark. While its exact symbolic meaning is shrouded in Masonic secrecy, one Mason has interpreted its meaning as "Time, patience and perseverance will accomplish all things."[2][3]

It has been used often as the location for movies and TV series such as Murder She Wrote (1984-1996) with Angela Lansbury and two episodes of The Fugitive (2001), with Tim Daly.[4]

The Masonic Hall is a contributing property in the Mendocino and Headlands Historic District which was added on July 14, 1971, to the National Register of Historic Places.[1]

Mendocino Lodge No. 179 holds its meetings in the second floor of the building[5] while the first floor serves as the local branch of the Savings Bank of Mendocino County.[6]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2008-04-15.
  2. ↑ Adams, Rick, and McCorkle, Louise, The California Highway 1 Book, New York: Ballantine Books, 1985, 1st edition, p. 284, ISBN 0-345-31855-2
  3. ↑ Tapper, Joan, The Most Beautiful Villages and Towns of California, with photographs by Nik Wheeler, New York: Thames & Hudson, 2007, p. 32. ISBN 978-0-500-51368-2
  4. ↑ Mendocino County Film Office
  5. ↑ Masonic Lodges in the Redwood Empire
  6. ↑ Savings Bank of Mendocino County branches