J. Nixon Lodge No. 421 A.F. & A.M. - Smithville, TX
Posted by: WalksfarTX
N 30° 00.517 W 097° 09.580
14R E 677495 N 3321166
The building stands three stories high and is crowned with a handsome extended brick parapet.
Waymark Code: WM139QX
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 10/20/2020
Views: 0
NRHP Nomination Form"The W.J. Nixon Lodge 421 moved into the second floor of the McCaskill Building soon
after it s completion in 1897. A few years later, the Masons decided to construct a
new temple building at the northwest corner of Third and Main. George E. Dickey, an
architect from Houston, was hired to design the building. Dickey was educated in Boston
and arrived in Houston in 1878. The Sweeney, Coombs and Frederick Building in Houston(NR1974) is an extant sample of his numerous commissions. On November 12, 1902, construction
began. The three-story red brick building was completed in February 1903. The top floor
was reserved as the Masons meeting hall while the other floors were leased. Perhaps the
best remembered tenant was Hainey's Grocery. The Masons continued to meet in the building through the 1970's but concern over the safety of members climbing three flights of
stairs prompted the construction of a new temple building. The Masons moved to their
new facilit y in 1973. The Old Masonic Temple Building is now used as a furniture showroom and warehouse."