Masonic Temple (Salina, Kansas)

Masonic Temple
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Building front in 2016
Location	336 S Santa Fe Ave, Salina, Kansas
Coordinates	38°50′5″N 97°36′33″W
Area	1.7 acres (0.69 ha)
Built	c. 1921-1927
Architect	William T. Schmitt and Issac L. Zerbe
Architectural style	Classical Revival
NRHP reference No.	00000192
Added to NRHP	March 9, 2000

The Masonic Temple in Salina, Kansas is a monumental Classical Revival-style building, completed in 1927. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.

Overview

It is 125 by 170 feet (38 m × 52 m) in plan. It was built of steel reinforced concrete, and clad in limestone and marble. It has deep foundations, with an exterior of Carthage stone up to the second floor.

History

I have played on many organs, some large ones in cities several times larger than Salina, but I have never found an organ so satisfactory in every way and so sweet toned. It seemed to possess a peculiar sympathetic character in its tone and could be played from a whisper to a thunderous volume. Its combinations were rare and un-numbered. I have no idea how many possible combinations there were on the instrument.

Professor W. H. Packard, Salina organist

On March 2, 1895, the previous Masonic building, which was reportedly the finest in the state, had been destroyed by fire started by sparks blown by strong wind from the burning neighboring Ober building, and then was rebuilt that October. It was reportedly the biggest fire in Salina history to date, and was stopped at the temple's two-foot-thick firewall.

Construction of the second, and current, building broke ground in late 1920. It was planned to be enclosed by January 1, 1922 and entirely completed by 1923. It was to be one of the most modern, though not the largest, Masonic temples in the country. It was funded and owned by the Masonic Temple Aid Association, designed by Oklahoma City architect William T. Schmitt, engineered by Noble and Cockrell of Kansas City, and built by Eberhardt Construction, at an initially estimated total cost of US$750,000 to $1,000,000 (equivalent to about $17,100,000 in 2023). Schmidt's architectural design was checked by "two noted engineering companies", and other architects and builders periodically visited to give informal approval in passing. Construction was prepaid by the owner, in progressive stages, with no insurance.

On July 11, 1921, with $400,000 of construction completed, the steel-reinforced "skeleton concrete work" structure indicated imminent collapse with about thirty seconds of notice. The workers quickly failed to reinforce the collapse, prompting evacuation, so they jumped from the fifth floor, down each floor, and fled. The Salina Daily Union reported: "The posts that were supporting the concrete roof, it is said, were not strong enough [...] The vast columns of reinforced steel were seen to tremble [..] The top of the dome of the dining room, which was the top of the fifth floor, dropped to the next floor, and carried it with other floors to the ground, and pulling with it columns, pillars, joist, and false frame work. It makes a frightful mess." It sounded like an earthquake for several blocks. Three workers were injured and none killed. Two thirds of the structure collapsed with $300,000 of damage. Schmitt was telegraphed and traveled from Oklahoma City to assess the cause.

Schmitt was replaced by architect Isaac L. Zerbe of the firm Wilmarth & Zerbe, and "apparently the contractor freely consulted both plans in completing the construction".

On January 30, 1922, the two upper floors were destroyed by fire with damages of $100,000 to $165,000 (equivalent to $3,000,000 in 2023). The organization's paper records were rescued. Several stores located on the first floor suffered water damage, and the firefighters and utility wires were coated in ice from all the water. The cause was a major explosion from a gas leak, which was heard across town like thunder. The most "mourned" loss was the $15,000 (equivalent to $500,000 in 2023) pipe organ on the second floor, installed in 1911 and reportedly the best in Kansas. The disaster prompted discussion of the enlargement of the city's fire department.