CHANGES TO THE TEMPLE
- 1869:
Dispensation is granted by the Grand Lodge of Washington Territory, and
the Whidby Island Lodge #15, F. & A.M. is formed.
- 1874: The Temple
is built by member and Past Master John Alexander, Jr.
- 1881:
The Lower Hall is retrofitted to house the offices of the Island County
Commissioners. The Lower Hall would be
rehabilitated numerous times, and served as a residence/office for two doctors.
- 1886:
Foundations are upgraded. Brick
underpinnings and concrete platforms are replaced. Calcimining applied to the walls of the Temple interior.
- 1891:
A cistern is installed to the west of the Temple by a Lodge member.
- 1896:
A gift of rough and perfect ashlars is made to the Lodge by member C.H.
Stackpole.
- 1897:
C.H. Stackpole makes a gift of a square and compass emblem, which is
gilt and placed in the gable peak on the eastern elevation.
- 1898:
Installation of ventilation shafts.
- 1903:
The first mention is made in the meeting minutes of building a new Temple.
- 1910:
The bungalow on the lot immediately adjacent to the Temple's western elevation is built by the
Masons for the widow of one of their deceased bretheren.
- 1911:
Concrete walk is installed in front of the Temple.
A year later, a walk connecting this to the front entrance is installed.
- 1916:
Temple
is electrified.
- 1939:
Addition is installed on the southern elevation. The former stairwell projection is enclosed.
- 1948:
An addition to the eastern elevation is installed. Twenty feet is added to this facade, including
a projecting second story. The four
fluted Doric columns on this elevation were removed from a bank in Oak Harbor
and installed on the Temple
at this time.
- 1954:
The final addition to the Temple
is installed on the western elevation.
Fourteen feet is added to this facade, and the roof configuration is
changed from gabled to hipped with a clipped gable.
- 1964:
Steel fire escape is installed on the northern elevation. Historic window is rehabilitated as a means of
egress from the second story.
- 1973:
The concrete block storage building on the western side of the Temple is constructed.
- 1981:
Repairs are made to the north side of the Temple Roof.
- 1983:
New lighting system installed in the Lodge Room. Electrical elements and sound system also
upgraded in this space.
- 2000:
Roof replaced.
Provided by Brother Michael Belle Isle