Pittsburg Scenes - Masonic Temple

When Pittsburg was just beginning its journey into becoming a city, a group of Free Masons in the area held a meeting in the Joplin Railroad Depot about organizing a Lodge of Ancient Free & Accepted Masons (A.F & A.M). The men chose Charles W. Long as chairman and A. J. Georgia as their secretary. The date was 27 Jan 1879. They authorized Georgia to approach the Girard Lodge No. 93 A.F. & A.M. to solicit the Grand Master. The group met again on 3 Feb 1879 after meeting with the Girard Lodge and selected Long as Worshipful Master, J. W. Jennings as Senior Warden and A. Baxter as Junior Warden. Their job was to draft a petition to be granted to the Grand Master for consideration of a new lodge. On 26 June 1879, their dispensation for a new lodge was accepted. The first regular meeting of the new Pittsburg Lodge was held 1 July 1879 with 13 members and new officers were elected.The group was granted an official charter on 16 Oct 1879 and given the name Pittsburg Lodge No. 187 Ancient Free & Accepted Masons. After a few years, the members wished to have higher degrees or Masonic bodies. A charter was issued on 21 March 1881 for the Pittsburg Royal Arch Masons. The Knights of Templar was organized on 9 June 1888.
The three Masonic groups met in various buildings including the Globe building at 4th and Broadway. They purchased a lot on the northeast corner of Sixth and Pine with the cornerstone for the new temple being laid on 21 June 1910. The 2-story building was designed by O. A. Cook and built by Asa Messenger. It was dedicated on 23 May 1911 and included meeting rooms on the second floor and the first floor a dining room. The building at the corner of Sixth & Pine was torn down in January 1999 because of it being in need of major repairs. The ornate arches were left standing as reminders of the buildings footprint and marks the entrance to a city parking lot that now is on the location.