Masonic Temple (Yuma, Arizona) Explained

Masonic Temple
Location:153 S. 2nd Ave., Yuma, Arizona
Coordinates:32.7247°N -114.6217°W
Built:1931
Architect:Edward Gray Taylor
Ellis Wing Taylor
Architecture:Art Deco Streamline Moderne
Added:April 12, 1984
Refnum:84000752

The Masonic Temple in Yuma, Arizona, was built in 1931 in the late Art Deco style of Moderne. It was designed by Los Angeles–based architects Edward Gray Taylor and Ellis Wing Taylor.[1] In 1933, at the depth of the Great Depression, the Masonic lodge lost all its funds in a bank closure. On November 16, 1933, the building's ownership was turned over to the Pacific Mutual Life Insurance Company "in satisfaction of a $16,900 realty mortgage." It was later rented back to the Masonic chapter and on May 10, 1940, ownership was restored.[1]

It is significant as one of few major Modernist Art Deco Style buildings surviving in Yuma.[1] It was given a "substantive review" indicating historical merit in the Yuma Multiple Resource Area MPS of 1979.[2] The Masonic Temple was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Yuma Masonic Temple: History . May 27, 2016.
  2. Web site: [{{NRHP url|id=64000061}} Yuma Multiple Resource Area ]. National Park Service. 2016-05-27. Bi11y G. Garrett . 1979.