1929 MASONIC LODGE Today, at what used to be 426 Burlington Avenue in Spur, you could roll a bowling ball right through the front of this space and it would keep on going out the back door. But in 1929 it was a grand new two-story headquarters for the Spur Masonic Lodge upstairs and an automobile showroom downstairs. Other businesses have also occupied the first floor over the years.
The Texas Spur and the Dickens Item of May 10, 1929 reported that the lodge was “having a two-story brick erected for a business place below and a hall above.” Later that month, on May 17, the newspaper noted that a Mr. Windham had contracted for the Hupmobile franches, and was temporarily located at the Sunshine Service Station “where he is awaiting the completion of the new Masonic Lodge Hall across the street on Burlington Avenue.” Upon the completion of this building, the article stated, Windham planned to have his showroom on the lower floor.
The building was constructed by Spur contractor W. P. Nugent and Sons, who built some of the finest commercial buildings in Spur in the 1920s and would also build the Swenson Park swimming pool and bathhouse in 1936.
Until the 1970s, when the Freemasons adapted their current single-story home at 5th and Burlington, the lodge met regularly upstairs at 426 Burlington; the Eastern Star chapter also held its meetings there.
By the 1990s, the proud old building was suffering from a caved-in roof that threatened to pull down neighboring structures. Greg and Cindy Taylor purchased it and completed demolition, passing it on to future owners along with the Texas Spur property at 424 Burlington.
What else do you recall about this building?
What uses could you envision for the space, when you’re standing on the sidewalk gazing up through the empty brick windowframe at a brilliant blue rectangle of sky?
Email us your thoughts and memories at spur@thetexasspur.com
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