Property Record
7515 W NATIONAL AVE
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | West Allis Masonic Lodge #291, F. & A.M. |
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| Reference Number: | 9249 |
| Location (Address): | 7515 W NATIONAL AVE |
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| County: | Milwaukee |
| City: | West Allis |
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| Year Built: | 1930 |
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| Additions: | 1958 |
| Survey Date: | 200720151980 |
| Historic Use: | social recreational/fraternal hall |
| Architectural Style: | Neoclassical/Beaux Arts |
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| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | George M. Hinkley |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
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| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| Additional Information: | 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. PEDIMENT SUPPORTED BY 4 CORINTHIAN COLUMNS. Entrance was altered in 1958. 2007: The Masonic Order represents the oldest fraternal organization both in Wisconsin and in the country. Wisconsin founded its first lodge in 1824 at Green Bay and, by 1865, about 150 Masonic lodges existed throughout the state. While the present-day community of West Allis was still known as North Greenfield, the few area Masons were members of Masonic Lodge No. 267 in Wauwatosa. Tired of the commute by streetcar or by buggy to the Wauwatosa lodge, the West Allis Masons established Lodge #291 in 1906. The following year, the Order of the Eastern Star was formed. After meeting in various rented quarters for twenty-three years, they voted to build their own meeting facility. This Neoclassical-style Masonic Temple has been home to the West Allis Lodge No. 291, F.& A.M. since its construction in 1929. This building was designed and built by the George M. Hinkley Co., Inc., which was established in West Allis in 1905. Evidence indicates that masons often hired from within their organization and, indeed, Hinkley himself was an active member of the local lodge. Erected at a cost of just over $52,000, the structure retains much of its original interior design and detailing including a fireplace, extensive wooden trim and an Art Deco-style light fixture in the entrance lobby. 2015- "This one-story with raised basement Masonic Lodge building is comprised of a Neoclassical-style, brick-faced and stone-trimmed unit at the front, with an arched auditorium/meeting hall to the rear is faced with common brick. The W. National Avenue (north) elevation features a central, pedimented entry that consists of three bay divisions created by four stone pilasters. The central bay includes a replacement, double-door entry that is topped with an elaborate stone ornament, while the outer bays, which originally featured additional doors, consist of glass block. A stone cornice runs around the front block of the building upon which is a brick parapet that features two carved stone panels; one to either side of the central pediment. Windows throughout the building consist of wood-frame, multiple-light, double-hung windows. Begun in 1929, the Lodge was completed in 1930 at an approximate cost of $60,000. In 1958, glass block replaced the outer doors of the W. National Avenue elevation. The Masons continue to utilize the structure." -"W National Ave- S 76th St to S 70th St", WisDOT #2410-00-07, Prepared by Heritage Research, Ltd. (Schnell), (2015). |
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| Bibliographic References: | West Allis Star 5/23/2002. Original permit for 7515 W. National Avenue, dated 6 July 1929, noted as completed on 14 February 1930; Permit for alteration, dated 18 November 1958, glass block added to front entrance, est. cost $2,000; "West Allis: The Early Years," 29-30. "Cornerstone of Temple is Laid," West Allis Star, 1 August 1929, page 1. 2015 survey citations: Building permit for 7515 W. National Avenue, 6 July 1929, cost estimated at $52,000; Permit for alteration, 18 November 1958, estimated cost, $2,000; “Cornerstone of Temple is Laid,” West Allis Star, 1 August 1929, 1; “Masonic Building to be Opened,” The Milwaukee Journal, 2 May 1930, III-8 (includes image of building). |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |