---

HISTORY

The Long Beach Masonic Temple grew out of a vision in 1924 by members of the Long Beach Masons who decided they needed a new temple. A building that would be a state-of-the-art facility for their growing number of members and well-attended Masonic activities.

The building was financed through a Subscription Campaign for members and companies raising $200,000. Their dedicated efforts impressed a local finance corporation who provided a loan to secure the balance of the building's cost. Ground was broken for the new Temple at Locust Avenue near Ninth Street on January 15, 1927.

The new temple was completed in July, 1928, and opened amid several gala commemorations of this important event. The new Temple, with its fine materials and classical design, was symbolic of the permanence and stability of Masonry.

The entry lobby of the building featured Swanton black, Columbia white and Kasota yellow marble floors with 12 bronze emblematic inserts. Walls and columns were finished in Travertine with a decorated ceiling accented with wrought iron and Steuben glass chandeliers. An ornamental iron balcony over looks the lobby. Through an agreement with the Long Beach Historical Society, a painstaking renovation of the lobby area will preserve the integrity of the building.

The Masonic Temple will now be enjoyed by a new generation of people, home buyers who will make the building into a different kind of home...the Temple Lofts.

Click on picture to see the image larger.