San Rafael Historic Walking Tour
1010 Lootens Place - Masonic Hall
Old Masonic Hall, ca. 1920
The Mason Lodge was organized in San Rafael in 1868, forming the first Masonic Lodge in Marin county. Early meetings were held at Angellotti’s Hall on Fourth Street. In early 1886, a lot at Lootens Place and Fourth Street was purchased for $2,000. It wasn’t until 1892 that plans were finally approved for construction of a Masonic Lodge, and the new building was completed and ready for occupancy during December of that year.
The building was a two-story wooden structure, featuring an auditorium on the ground floor and the Lodge room above. The entrance to the Lodge was on Fourth Street, while access to the auditorium was provided from Lootens Place.
The building was a two-story wooden structure, featuring an auditorium on the ground floor and the Lodge room above. The entrance to the Lodge was on Fourth Street, while access to the auditorium was provided from Lootens Place.
Members of Company D, Fifth Infantry Regiment of Marin
standing in front of the old Masonic Hall
For many years, Company D of the California National Guard used the auditorium as its armory, a practice that continued until 1906.
As the lodge approached its 40th anniversary, it became clear that their facilities were no longer sufficient, and plans for a newer, larger structure needed to be considered. More than a decade later, more property along Fourth Street next to the lodge was purchased, and the old building was razed to make room for a larger structure on the site.
The cornerstone of the new building was laid on January 3, 1925, and the first meeting was held in August of that year. In 1943, the Masonic Lodge celebrated its 75th anniversary with a ceremonial burning of the paid off mortgage.
As the lodge approached its 40th anniversary, it became clear that their facilities were no longer sufficient, and plans for a newer, larger structure needed to be considered. More than a decade later, more property along Fourth Street next to the lodge was purchased, and the old building was razed to make room for a larger structure on the site.
The cornerstone of the new building was laid on January 3, 1925, and the first meeting was held in August of that year. In 1943, the Masonic Lodge celebrated its 75th anniversary with a ceremonial burning of the paid off mortgage.
ca. 1930s
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