Dayton Masonic Center: History

525 W. Riverview Ave.
Dayton, OH 45401
(Across from the Dayton Art Institute)

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A Brief History

From the Dayton Masonic Temple Pamphlet

Prior to the building of the present Masonic Temple the home of Dayton Freemasonry was a remodeled church building in downtown Dayton. The rapid growth of the various Masonic organizations during and immediately following World War I greatly overtaxed the capacity of the old Temple. As the direct result, those farseeing brethren of that time conceived the idea of a new Masonic Temple in a more imposing location. The tremendous task of raising funds to construct such a building began in the middle twenties and the results which far exceeded the fondest dreams of those brethren were realized in the year 1926.

The Dayton Masonic Center at Sunrise

The Dayton Masonic Temple, completed and dedicated in 1928, occupies an area of approximately eight and one half acres on the west bank of the Great Miami River. The original plot on which the Temple stands was donated to the Masonic Temple Association by the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Valley of Dayton.

Original construction cost of the Temple was approximately two and one half million dollars. Duplication of the building today is conservatively estimated at thirty million dollars. It is doubtful if the Temple could be duplicated today in view of the fact that many materials used in the original construction of the Temple are now quite scarce, if available at all.

In recent years additional land has been acquired adjacent to the Temple, a portion of which has been converted into a parking area that accommodates approximately two hundred fifty automobiles. The balance of the surrounding area is beautifully landscaped, adding natural beauty to the entire complex.

Masonic Center Corner Stone

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