Masonic Temple (Meridian, Mississippi)

The Masonic Temple at 1220 26th Avenue, Meridian, Mississippi was built in 1903. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.[1] It was also listed as a contributing property to the Merrehope Historic District in 1988.[2] It has since been demolished.[3]

Masonic Temple
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. Historic district Contributing property
Masonic Temple in 1987
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Location	1220 26th Ave., Meridian, Mississippi
Coordinates	32°22′10″N 88°42′16″W
Built	1903
Architect	Krouse & Hutchisson
Part of	Merrehope Historic District (ID88000973)
MPS	Meridian MRA
NRHP reference No.	79003395[1]
Added to NRHP	December 18, 1979

The temple was owned jointly by three black fraternal lodges and stood as a tribute to the business capacity and enterprise of the black community in the city.[4] The structure was two stories tall with a recessed entrance supported by panelled Ionic pilasters that bore the keystone of Freemasonry and the insignia of the Shriners. The effort to build the temple was largely spearheaded by T.J. Wilson.[2]

References

1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
2. Robert J. Cangelosi, Jr. (September 19, 1988). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Merrehope Historic District" (pdf). National Park Service: 39. Cite journal requires |journal= (help) and Accompanying photos (Masonic Lodge is photo #17)
3. Google Maps, street view
4. Beth L. Savage; Carol D. Shull (1994). African American Historic Places. John Wiley and Sons. ISBN 978-0-471-14345-1.