In 1901 the Lodge, with Company G of the First Minnesota National Guard, built the Armory on Plum Street. The building at the time cost $25,000. The entire third floor of the building was given over to Masonic purposes, and constituted at the time, and for more than 20 years following, one of the best equipped Lodge rooms in the State.
Early in the morning on April 13th, 1925, fire of an unknown origin broke out in the Armory, and by daylight the building was completely gutted. Of all the beautiful equipment the Lodge had, only an iron safe and the Master’s chair used in the Smith building escaped the flames.
2 comments:
Lee,
As a member and Past Master of Red Wing Lodge #8, I want to thank you for posting this picture on your blog! I had the great fortune of collecting all the photos for the Lodge's 150th Anniversary in 2006 and this building, I found, when built was one of the finest in the state. Sadly, it burned, and the Lodge took up residence in the Odd Fellows Lodge building until the building that we are currently in was built in 1928. The Oddfellows, sadly are gone, as are many other freaternal organizations. Their building, though still stands, just around the corner from the old armory.
Thanks again!
Gary Thomas, Jr.
Lee,
As a member and Past Master of Red Wing Lodge #8, I wish to thank you for posting this wonderful picture on your blog!
I had the great fortune of collecting all the photos of the buildings that the Lodge has been in over the years when we had our 150th Anniversary in 2006. We putt hem in a circular that was distributed. The Oddfellows building (IOOF) is located just around the corner and within sight of the old armory. The Lodge met there for a couple years when the armory burned and until our Lodge building was built in 1928.
Sadly the Oddfellows, along with many more fraternal organizations are long gone, but out fraternity is still going strong.
Thanks again!
Gary Thomas, Jr.
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