Masonic and Algeria Shrine
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Laying the cornerstone for Helena's Masonic Temple, northwest corner of Main St. and Edwards St., June 14, 1872.
A Brief history of the Helena Lodge, courtesy of the Grand Lodge AF&AM of Montana:
Helena Lodge No. 3, Helena. The first meeting of Helena City (U.D) was conducted on August 17, 1865. The lodge was chartered November 7, 1865 by Grand Lodge of Colorado as Helena City No. 10. On January 24, 1866 the lodge united with Virginia City No. 43 (now No. l) and Montana No. 9 (now No. 2) to form Grand Lodge of Montana. This Lodge was chartered January 26, 1866 by Grand Lodge of Montana as Helena No. 3 at Helena. |
1872 Lodge Building, Main at Edwards
1872 Lodge Building, Main at Edwards, circa 1890
| This building was razed in 1890, and the Merchants National Bank was constructed on the site.
Photo courtesy of the Grand Lodge of AF&AM of Montana, via Daniel Gardiner, Grand Secretary. |
Temple at Broadway and Jackson
| The caption of this illustration is misleading. There were several Masonic Temples in Helena before this building. |
1908 Masonic Home of Montana
in the Helena Valley
46.691178, -111.987984
1916 Booklet ~ History of the Home
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Masonic Home Residents, Sept. 27, 1927
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They posed on the west side of the main building. The 1935 addition of the women's building eliminated this outside entrance.
So far, none of these people have been identified. The man on the left is wearing Knights Templar regalia. |
Gates, 1928
Aerial View, 1932
Courtesy of Jeff Morrison
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1915 Consistory Shrine Temple
21 N. Jackson St.
| The 1880 Ming Opera House was extensively remodeled, and became home to Helena's Masonic organizations in 1915. |
Ming Opera House, Later the Helena Theater
1915 Consistory Shrine Temple
21 N. Jackson St., 1917
COURTESY OF SEAN LOGAN • CLICK ON IMAGE TO OPEN A BIG VERSION IN A NEW WINDOW
Auditorium, 2015
PHOTO BY KENNON BAIRD • CLICK ON IMAGE TO OPEN A BIG VERSION IN A NEW WINDOW
Algeria Shrine Temple • Later the Civic Center
Grand Lodge of the AF&AM of Montana
Library, Museum & Offices
425 N. Park Ave.
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| The Grand Lodge building under construction, July 24, 1935 and June 4, 1936. Photos courtesy of the Lodge, via Daniel Gardiner, Grand Secretary. |
Cornerstone Ceremony, July 18 1936
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| Cornerstone ceremony, July 18, 1936. Photo courtesy of the David Poor Collection., |
1951
BAIRD COLLECTION • CLICK ON IMAGE TO OPEN A BIG VERSION IN A NEW WINDOW
Algeria Shrine "Whoopee Wagon"
COURTESY OF DICK MORTIEAU
COURTESY OF DICK MORTIEAU
The Algeria Shrine "Whoopee Wagon", a 1930-31 Ford Model A tricked out with all manner of fun, noisy things. It has been featured in parades around the state since at least 1938. The two photos above were taken in Helena in 1960.
The men are identified L to R as: Bil Mortieau, Walter Bill, Dave Warn, and Emery Schopfer.
To open a page with higher res versions of these photos, please click on the sign below... |
1963, Probably Billings, MT
COURTESY OF DICK MORTIEAU
East Helena, MT 2019
COURTESY OF MARDI SLOCUM
East Helena, MT 2026
COURTESY OF MARDI SLOCUM
