Audubon-Parkside Lodge #218
Free & Accepted Masons
Audubon Masonic Temple
The Highland Theater era
The structure that is known today as the Audubon Masonic temple has stood for well over 100 years, being built in the early 1900's. It was originally known as the Highland theater, then renamed to the "New" Highland theater in the mid 30's.
 Highlands theater and neighbors - early 1900's |  Highlands Theater early 1900's |  Highlands Theater early 1900's |
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 Highlands Theater early 1900's |  Highlands Theater early 1900's |
1952 Construction of the Temple
The New Highland Theater closed down and then became the new home of Audubon Lodge. In 1952, the brothers of the lodge began construction on the theater to convert it into a Masonic temple. Much of the original architecture including fixtures can still be found in the building today. For example, we still use the old theater lightning in our ceremonies!
 The hallway to the candidate preparation room |  Renovated restrooms |  A view of the completed "West" of the lodge room from the "East" |
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 A view of the temple including altar, sidelines from the balcony |  Renovated restrooms with the doors open |  Reconstruction of the basement which will become the kitchen and eating area |
 Brothers laying the sub floor in the main theater room. The original floor was angled toward the old screen so decking needed to be laid which you can still see under to this day in one of the closets in the temple |  Brothers working in the main theater room |  More work in the main room |
 Brothers posing for a photo during construction of the downstairs |  Construction of the lodge room continues |  Entrance to the lodge room being finished |
 Brothers pausing their labors for refreshment downstairs |  More time for camaraderie and refreshment in our downstairs eating area |  Deconstruction of the original theater seats and screen to begin to build the lodge room |
 Meal time with brothers and workmen |  Reconstruction of the upstairs balcony and parts of the lodge room |  Reconstruction o the lodge room, taking down the old screen |
 Craftsmans room |  Brothers building out our downstairs |  |
 Renovation of the front lobby. The stairs on the right in the background are no longer there and has been replaced with a cloak room. |
From Theater to Masonic Temple
While not much had changed from the transformation of the Highland theater to Audubon Masonic temple in 1952, of the edifice was a busy and active one. For decades after the temple opened, it housed many Masonic bodies. Multiple lodges, Chapters of Royal Arch Masons, Councils of Royal & Select Masters, Commanderies of Knights Templar, Orders of the Eastern Star, and various non Masonic organizations such as the Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Adult Day Centers, and more using the building for charitable efforts. The Masonic temple saw many changes in the world from wars to the rise and fall of foreign regimes, but the Masons who occupied it remained.
 Setup for the Audubon Cub Scouts Pack #106 Pinewood Derby - Feb 2019 |  Setup before the Pinewood Derby - Feb 2019 |  View of the interior of the lodge room during the Pinewood Derby, February 2019 |
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 The local Cub Scout recruiting night, August 2019 |  Saying goodbye to a brother moving out to Texas, 2017 |  The lodge room prior to a meeting |
The Next Chapter
In June of 2023, the Brethren decided to form a committee over the summer to determine whether or not it was viable to stay in our long time home. In September, the Brethren, with the report of the committee, decided to sell Audubon Masonic Temple and become a tenant in another Masonic temple. The decision was not made easily. However, the Brothers felt that even though Audubon-Parkside was getting stronger with younger, newer and committed members, the size of the lodge no longer was viable for such a large, expansive, and expensive building, and the process to sell the temple which we called home since the early 1950's began. On January 19, 2024, the closing gavel for Audubon-Parkside lodge #218 sounded for the final time at the Audubon Masonic Temple. Many memories were made in that magnificent edifice, but everything has its season. We were first made to be Masons in our hearts, and our duty is to carry the torch for the next generation of Masons. Our goal was to prepare our Lodge for the Brothers who have yet to knock on our door by taking away the necessity for them to be building superintendents and instead allow them to focus on Faith, Hope and Charity. they
 The Brethren met for one last time at Audubon Masonic temple on January 19, 2024. |  Charge the cannons for one last toast, goodbye to our old home. |  The Brethren begin to move all of the furniture out of the lodge |
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 One last view of the majestic art deco theater lights |  The clock has struck low twelve on the Audubon Masonic Temple |