Masonic Temple in need of building assessment

Amanda Moeller, CEO for the Thermopolis-Hot Springs County Economic Development Company (EDC) said she applied for a Historic Architectural Assistance Fund (HAAF) grant for Masonic Malta Lodge No. 17. In the past, she noted, she’s written them for the Klink building and the property at 518 Broadway. Done through the Wyoming Main Street and the State Historic Preservation Office, Moeller explained no money is given but the two organizations hire an architect to do a feasibility study on whatever people want to do with the building.

With regard to the Masonic Temple, she said, “we asked for everything they would allow.” This includes an architect familiar with buildings erected during the same era, overall building assessment, structural analysis, recommendations on building code compliance, design plans and feasibility.

“They thought we were asking for everything because we didn’t know what we wanted,” Moeller said. However, using pictures as reference, she pointed out the building has been struck by vehicles so many times the foundation is shifting. She also noted peeling paint, water damage, boarded up windows and exposed wiring.

Linda Kiisk of the Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office, said it was very rare to see a building this close to its original state that was in need of everything, and suggested another application be sent. Moeller plans to re-apply later this year.

At the same time, work is being done to get the building on the historic registry. Moeller said she is working on specific timeframes, as the application requires periods of significance for the building. She’s teaming up with John Brooks to go through boxes of minutes from Mason meetings. In her research, Moeller’s learned the volunteer fire department and Presbyterian church used the building, as well as 12 or 13 organizations that used the space for meetings. “That was a major hub in Thermopolis,” she said.

Additionally, she’s learned quite a bit about the Masons and noted there used to be gatherings of hundreds of them in Thermopolis. She’s hopeful the building will see more use by the community in coming years. “It’s one of the oldest buildings in our community that’s still used and has never been vacant. It’s been used by the Masons, primarily since it was constructed in 1905.”