Inverness Masonic Temple

Inverness's Masonic Temple for Citrus Lodge #118, F. and A.M., was built on Main Street and dedicated in 1910, ready for occupancy in January, 1911. The three-story brick building cost $17,285 and was the most costly building in the county. Originally, the first floor housed two stores, the second floor had five offices, and the third floor was the lodge room for the Masons and Eastern Star. After the dedication ceremonies, a crowd of between 1800-2500 gathered at picnic grounds at the foot of North Apopka Avenue near the residence of W.H. Warnock for a large dinner featuring barbecued meats, fried fish, chicken pileau, baked and boiled ham, salads, pies, thousands of loaves of bread, pickles, cakes, fruits, barrels of ice water, and jugs of coffee, while the town cornet band played "Dixie" and other tunes. Walter F. Warnock, Sr., was Worshipful Master of the Lodge when the temple was built, while also serving as Clerk of Circuit Court and as editor and proprietor of the Chronicle. It is remembered that the second floor also housed a movie theater, City Hall, and professional offices used by Dr. T.S. Henley, Dr. Harrel Martin, Dr. Claude Carter, Dr. Cranford, Dr. Gail Osterhout, Mannie Scofield, George Scofield, Charles Fitzpatrick, and Donald Bradshaw. For many years Fall's Drugstore occupied the first floor. In 1963 lightning struck the building and caused fire damage. After restoration, it was decided to build a new structure, and in 1965 the Masons and Eastern Star moved to a new location on Zephyr Street and Hendrix Avenue, selling the 1910 temple to private enterprise. The third floor was used by the County Commissioners early in 1990 for several years.

Inverness, Florida · United States