The press called the area “a pretty place in the heart of nature, where there is everything conducive to life.” As Rock Island’s Henry Burris, Illinois Grand Master from 1898 – 1905, said of the site during the cornerstone ceremony, “White Masons have an elegant and more pretentious home in Chicago, but the inmates are cooped up like prisoners. The surrounding area was rural – the only thing nearby was Charles Dasso’s greenhouse to the north. That two-story frame house, which cost $1400, is at the far right of our postcard. In 1904 they decided to build a new home in Rock Island on a 4 ¼ acre site on 37 th Avenue near the Rock River. That home, located at the rear of a member’s home on South Dearborn Street in Chicago, was replaced in 1896 with another home at 33 rd Street and Armour Avenue.īut Illinois’s black Masons weren’t satisfied with Chicago. According to their website, “any good hearted man who is worthy and well qualified can seek more light in Masonry”.Īnd the good-heartedness of Illinois Prince Hall Masons and Eastern Star ladies was demonstrated as early as 1891, when they created their first statewide home for aged Masons, widows and orphans. The Prince Hall Grand Lodge continues in existence today with over 4,500 lodges worldwide and a membership of over 300,000. Recognizing that their wives, widows, sisters, and daughters also wanted to be a part of Masonry, the Order of Eastern Star was created as a feminine counterpart to the Masons. Soon thereafter, the African Grand Lodge was created and Prince Hall became its first Grand Master, serving until his death in 1807. But Black Masons did not receive all Masonic privileges until 1784, when the Grand Lodge in England granted a charter to African Lodge 459. It began at the time of the Revolutionary War in 1775, when fourteen free black men were initiated into Lodge 441 in Boston. Rather it was named in honor of a man, Prince Hall, who is known as the Father of Black Masonry.īlack Masonry is as old as this country. Many think that its name means this building was called a hall. Surprisingly, it still looks much as it does on our “real photo” postcard as it overlooks a scenic view of the Rock River. For much of its life, the location of the Prince Hall Masonic Home was simply noted as “foot of 37 th Avenue,” an appropriate address for this historic building.
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