In 1924 Thomas G. Moses wrote, “Went to Saginaw where I closed a small order for Masonic work.” The small order was likely for the temporary Masonic quarters after the 1924 fire.
The Masonic Temple in Saginaw, Michigan.
That spring, the Saginaw Masonic Temple burned. On March 11, 1924, the “Lansing State Journal” reported, “SAGNIAW, March 11. – Fire damaged the South Saginaw Masonic Temple early Tuesday, destroying the two upper floors of the building, occupied by three Masonic orders and a lodge of Maccabees. A dry goods store on the first floor of the building was flooded with the water poured on the fire. The damage may reach $70,000.” As in most cases, the Masons rebuilt their home, but outfitted temporary quarters during the planning and construction phase.
In 1926, Saginaw’s new Masonic Temple adjoined and equally new Temple Theater, located at 201-211 North Washington Avenue.
This reminded me the early days when Sosman & Landis first opened their doors. Moses may have been taking direction from the old Sosman & Landis playbook. In the beginning, the firm followed theatre fires, securing one project after another. In many ways, it was almost guaranteed work; there was always a plan to rebuild.
To be continued…
Author: waszut_barrett@me.com
Wendy Rae Waszut-Barrett, PhD, is an author, artist, and historian, specializing in painted settings for opera houses, vaudeville theaters, social halls, cinemas, and other entertainment venues. For over thirty years, her passion has remained the preservation of theatrical heritage, restoration of historic backdrops, and the training of scenic artists in lost painting techniques. In addition to evaluating, restoring, and replicating historic scenes, Waszut-Barrett also writes about forgotten scenic art techniques and theatre manufacturers. Recent publications include the The Santa Fe Scottish Rite Temple: Freemasonry, Architecture and Theatre (Museum of New Mexico Press, 2018), as well as articles for Theatre Historical Society of America’s Marquee, InitiativeTheatre Museum Berlin’s Die Vierte Wand, and various Masonic publications such as Scottish Rite Journal, Heredom and Plumbline. Dr. Waszut-Barrett is the founder and president of Historic Stage Services, LLC, a company specializing in historic stages and how to make them work for today’s needs. Although her primary focus remains on the past, she continues to work as a contemporary scene designer for theatre and opera.
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