Laserfiche WebLink
Craft symbol and over the entrance is the Square and Compass, which is the emblem of <br />Masonry. <br />The ground floor includes club, billiard, card and reading rooms, banquet rooms, <br />kitchens, boiler room, check room and storage space. The main/lobby floor, houses, <br />office space, lobby, stairways, elevators that were presented by John M. Studebaker, Jr., <br />lounges, reception rooms and a cathedral. The remaining floors contain various rooms <br />for the variety of Lodges which are housed here as well as, custodian office, ladies <br />reception room and parlors, and rooms for candidates. <br />RECOMMENDATION <br />Based on the Historic Preservation Commission's Local Landmark Criteria's adopted by <br />the Common Council, the site and structures at 427 N. Main Street has been <br />recommended to the Common Council for designation as a Local Landmark by the <br />Historic Preservation Commission. <br />The building meets the following five criteria: <br />1) Its character, interest, or value as part of the development, heritage, or culture of <br />the City of South bend, St. Joseph County, the State of Indiana, or the United <br />States of America; <br />2) Its embodiment of elements or architectural design, detail, material or <br />craftsmanship which represents an architectural characteristic or innovation; <br />3) Its educational value; <br />4) Its suitability for preservation; <br />5) Its identification with the life of a person or persons of historical significance. <br />The structure fulfills criteria #1 by its relationship with the Masons, a very prominent, <br />local, and National Fraternity. <br />The structure fulfills criteria #2 as an excellent example of a 1920s Neoclassical Style <br />Lodge /Temple. It is rated an Outstanding 13 in the Indiana Historic Sites and Structures <br />Inventory. <br />The building fulfills criteria #3 by its ability to teach the public about the interests and <br />values of the past societies, their lingering affects on the present and why such <br />organization are faltering in their popularity. <br />The building fulfills criteria #4 by the integrity of its original construction with no change <br />to the structure. It is a splendid example of early a 1920s Temple. <br />The building fulfills criteria #5 by its association with a multitude of South Bend's most <br />prominent citizens, including; Alexis Coquillard, John Sample, the Deacons, the <br />Wardens, A.B. Ellsworth, C.C. Shafer, A.F. Eby, William Crabill, the Studebaker's and <br />the Oliver's. <br />4 <br />