Masonic Temple

Freemasonry is the oldest fraternal organization in the world. Founded in London, England in 1717, current worldwide membership (2020) totals 3 million members, 1.1 million members in North America.  Today, Ohio has one of the largest Masonic memberships of any state in the country, with 70,000 Masons and 450 local Lodges.

The 1920s were a high point for Freemasonry; over 12% of the U.S. adult male population were members. Community Lodge No. 684 was chartered in Grandview Heights in 1922 with a membership of exactly 100 members. The group had a Masonic Temple constructed at the corner of First and Grandview Avenues. The builder was W.H. Barnhart and the temple was his first job; Barnhart also eventually built most of the infill houses on Arlington Avenue and Cambridge Boulevard in Marble Cliff in the 1940s and 1950s.

According to a 1923 brochure by the H.E. Dusenberry Realty Co. “The handsome new two-story steel, concrete and brick block covers 65 by 130 feet in this growing section. The lodge has the largest and most beautifully furnished quarters of any blue lodge in this section. The lodge room is 45 by 60 feet. The architecture is of a Georgian type, designed to create a dignified yet restful and pleasing effect. The woodwork has been finished in ivory enamel, and the walls and ceiling in two-tone ivory. This effect, with the mahogany furniture and luxurious blue pattern floor covering, give a pleasing color scheme.” A “blue lodge” is thought to refer to the traditional color of regalia in lodges derived from English or Irish Freemasonry.

The first Worshipful Master of Community Lodge was Raymond Dowdell; Dowdell (1870-1954) was Sales Manager for Burroughs Adding Machine Company and an elected officer of the Columbus Rotary. Walter Whissen was the first secretary of the lodge. Whissen owned Grandview Hardware Company which was located on the first floor of the Masonic Temple on the Grandview Avenue side.

In 1934, an Outdoors Store was opened in the building, a predecessor to today’s REI, Field & Stream, and Cabela’s retail establishments. Each year, the Outdoors Store held a boat show which attracted hundreds to events at the store, often flowing out into the street.

Today, the building holds Ford & Associates Architects, commercial office space, and Pure Imagination Chocolatier. While interior features of the original temple were largely removed or covered, the beautiful arched windows at the sides and back, and the cornice over the front entrance remain as a reminder to past glories.   

1920s photo of Masonic Temple.

Interior of Richwine’s grocery which was located on the first floor of Masonic Temple when the building first opened. 

Crowd attending 1950 boat show at the Outdoors Store located in the Masonic Temple.