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When you drive down Walnut Avenue and reach Main St. you probably don't even notice the vacant lot on the left hand corner. You might be familiar with the medical offices at 549-4th St which Drs. Brezing built and occupied until they retired. Well that vacant lot used to be occupied by a rather magnificent building that housed the Niagara Frontier Masonic Lodge #132 and was the site of many fraternal and social events. The building interior was resplendent with dark walnut paneling and woodwork. There was an old-fashioned, operate it yourself elevator in side the main door that took you to the upper floors. The first floor held offices and a wonderful game room, complete with many beautiful pool and billiard tables as well as plush leather easy chairs and couches. This was the epitome of a men's club (it was a male only fraternity).
The second floor held a large kitchen and dining hall and was the location where "House Parties" were held. House parties were special nights when the whole family was welcomed and kids could play pool and ping pong, and parents could dance the evening away to the sounds of wonderful live orchestras. Food was also on the menu those nights and some of us kids got our biggest kicks out of playing elevator operator.
The third floor held the Fraternity meeting room and we were only allowed to view it. The Masonic Order has always been thought of a "secret society," and their meetings were for members only. However, it was obvious to us kids that something wonderful must occur in the meeting room because they had giant thrones and other accoutrements signifying some mysterious goings-on must happen on the third floor.
With declining membership, the Lodge couldn't handle the upkeep of such a large building so it was sold and subsequently torn down. Another shameful loss of an historical and magnificent structure in our city. Currently, the lodge meets at a former church on Colvin Blvd. but even that is up for sale.
Submitted by Jim Brunn
4 comments:
I remember Jim Brunn from HS-class of '57---Spent many hours in that bldg--father and uncles were masons--The Order of the Eastern Star, the women's counterpart organization also met there; as did boys teen group(Demolay) and girls (Triangle)also! Remember well the house parties and dinners served there!
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Just curious as to the reference of the "church on Colvin Blvd.", would that be the Wesley Methodist Church? Located to the north-side of the Containment area? I grow-up on 101st & Frontier Ave., Class of '71 LaSalle Senior. Was back in NF this past late-spring, the area is so sad.
I reside in southeastern Michigan, have for over 35yrs. and still have a few -very few- family members in the area. Though of little, if any, importance is the Masonic Hall of NF. as we have seen the same happen to our Detroit Lodge Building in recent years. It was a grand building that had fallen on bad times years ago. If interest, I offer this: http://www.historicdetroit.org/building/masonic-temple/
Yes, the magnificent Masonic Lodge building yet another classic building of architecture destroyed. I say thank the ineptness of Niagara Falls leaders and the city's idiotic never ending Democratic voting citizen base roller coaster. The city for decades has complained about Urban Renewal and how the city slowly was ruined, but they keep voting the same and the mess has clearly continued. The proof is time. The last time I was there after decades I was shocked and horrified at the total destruction of so many once great clean areas built by the English, Italians, Poles and Germans, and worst was how Pine Avenue today looked unrecognizable. I say just take down the Little Italy signage when I looked around that street today and saw that sign ....I cringed. Keep voting Democrat Niagara Falls it has done wonders for you in the past 100 years.
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