click zoom to display a high-res image
Property Location
| Location (Address) | 117-119 S MAIN ST |
|---|---|
| County | Dane |
| City/Village | Oregon |
| Township | |
| Unincorporated community | |
| Town | |
| Range | |
| Direction | |
| Section | |
| Quarter Section | |
| Quarter Quarter Section |
Property Features
| Year Built | 1898 |
|---|---|
| Additions | |
| Survey Date | 1979 |
| Historic Use | social recreational/fraternal hall |
| Architectural Style | Queen Anne |
| Structural System | |
| Wall Material | Cream Brick |
| Architect | |
| Other Buildings On Site | |
| Demolished | No |
| Demolished Date | |
| Additional Comments | A 'site file' exists for this property. It contains additional information such as correspondence, newspaper clippings, or historical information. It is a public record and may be viewed in person at the Wisconsin Historical Society, State Historic Preservation Office. The construction of this lodge building coincided with the golden age of Freemasonry in Wisconsin. During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, fraternal lodges included among their members the businessmen and professionals who made up the local elite. Membership in certain lodges helped establish a man's status, and some, such as the Masons’, were more prestigious than others, in part because here community leaders made business deals and forged political alliances. After a fire destroyed the hall used by several of Oregon’s fraternal organizations, the Masons erected this exuberant cream-and red-brick building, which also served the Order of the Eastern Star, the Knights of Pythias, and the Women’s' Relief Corps. Above the second-story windows, the Masonic emblem of compass and square appears at the center of a red sandstone medallion framed in red brick. Fine details, including the red-brick arcade at the roof parapet and the pointed ogee-arched window heads, lend an eclectic Romanesque and Moorish flavor to this vernacular commercial facade. The building retains its original, cast-iron storefront, where the Prichard and Cusick hardware store displayed its wares. The interior, too, has kept its historic appearance, including its pressed-metal ceiling embellished with garlands and geometric motifs. POLYCHROME BRICKWORK. ARCHED WINDOWS W/KEYSTONES. ORIGINAL IRON FRONT. MASONIC DEVICE ON FRONT. |
| Bibliographic References | Wisconsin State Journal, 8/21/1994, p. 5J. “Architecture/History Survey. WHS project number 08-0176/DA. 2007. Prepared by Carol Lohry Cartwright. Buildings of Wisconsin manuscript. |
National And State Register Of Historic Places Listings
| National/State Register Listing Name | Oregon Masonic Lodge |
|---|---|
| National Register Listing Date | Jun 18, 1992 |
| State Register Listing Date | May 06, 1992 |
| Contributing |
Architecture & History Inventory
The Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory (AHI) is a digital source of information on historic buildings, structures, and objects that have been surveyed by the State Historic Preservation Office in Wisconsin. Each property has a digital record providing basic information about the property and images.
Questions?
Wondering about if your property is eligible or notice some information on this property needs to be updated, reach out today!
Email UsAttribution
For a credit line: Wisconsin Historical Society, Creator, Title, Unique Identifier.
The Unique Identifier can be found at the top or bottom of the page for each item. The name of a downloaded file is NOT the unique identifier.
For bibliographic citations please consult the UW-Madison Libraries Citation Research Guide to ensure compliance with appropriate style guidelines.
Access Property Records
Some properties have more materials (correspondence, clippings, historical information, etc.) not in the digital record. If a 'Site File' exists, it's noted in the 'Additional Comments' field. Contact us for an appointment to view these materials.
2854 CHURCH ST / BUS 51
223989
Located in Stevens Point, Portage County




