Masonic Temple Building, Fayetteville Street (Raleigh, North Carolina)

Infobox_nrhp | name =Masonic Temple Building
nrhp_type =


caption =
location= Raleigh, North Carolina
lat_degrees = 35
lat_minutes = 46
lat_seconds = 26.83
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 78
long_minutes = 38
long_seconds = 12.47
long_direction = W
locmapin = North Carolina
area =
built =1907
architect= Charles McMillan, architect; Carolina Construction Co., builder
architecture= No Style Listed
added = May 03, 1984
governing_body = Private
refnum=84002533cite web|url=http://www.nr.nps.gov/|title=National Register Information System|date=2007-01-23|work=National Register of Historic Places|publisher=National Park Service] The Masonic Temple Building was the first reinforced concrete skyscraper built in the state of North Carolina and is located at 133 Fayetteville Street in Raleigh. Built in 1907 by the Masons, the building represents the growth of Raleigh in the early 20th century and rise of the influence of Masons. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984 and is a Raleigh Historic Landmark. [http://www.nr.nps.gov/iwisapi/explorer.dll?IWS_SCHEMA=NRIS1&IWS_LOGIN=1&IWS_REPORT=100000044 National Register of Historic Places database. Retrieved on March 16 2008]

It is one of two Raleigh places of the same name on the National Register of Historic Places, the other being the Masonic Temple Building, Blount Street (Raleigh, North Carolina), which was also built in 1907.cite web|url=http://www.nr.nps.gov/|title=National Register Information System|date=2007-01-23|work=National Register of Historic Places|publisher=National Park Service]

History

The seven-story Masonic Temple Building was designed by South Carolina architect Charles McMillan and built by Carolina Construction Co. Upon completion, the building was praised for its innovative construction due to the use of reinforced concrete, a new concept in building materials. The design is a conservative and classic example of the tri-partite skyscraper composition developed by Louis Sullivan. The first three floors are covered with Indiana limestone. The rest of the building is made of light brick ornamented with terra cotta.

Two years after the founding of Raleigh, the first Masonic lodge was built. Due to increased membership, the Masons raised funds for the construction of a new temple. The Masonic Temple Building, once used by local lodges and the state Grand Lodge, contained retailers on the first floor and offices throughtout the rest of the building. The Masons sold the building in 1951 and relocated to the former Josephus Daniels House. Today, the downtown building continues to provide commercial and office space. [http://www.nps.gov/history/nR/travel/raleigh/mas.htm "Masonic Temple Building", National Park Service. Retrieved on March 16 2008]

ee also

*List of Registered Historic Places in North Carolina__NOTOC__

References

External links

* [http://www.nps.gov/history/nR/travel/raleigh/mas.htm National Register of Historic Places profile]
* [http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/travel/raleigh/ Raleigh: A Capital City, a National Park Service Discover Our Shared Heritage Travel Itinerary]