Built 1866 | Opened 1866 | |
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Location 10500 Lansing Street
Mendocino, California Architect Eric Albertson and John Gschwend Part of Mendocino and Headlands Historic District (#71000165
) Similar Caspar Headlands State Bea, Temple of Kwan Tai, Russian Gulch State Park, Mendocino Headlands State Park, Point Cabrillo Light | ||
The Masonic Hall, also known as the Masonic Temple and Mendocino Lodge No. 179, is an historic Masonic building located at 10500 Lansing Street in Mendocino, California, coordinates 39°18′24″N 123°47′55″W. It was built beginning in 1866 of local redwood by Eric Albertson and John Gschwend, but not completed until after 1880. Eric Albertson, who was the first worshipful master of Mendocino Lodge No. 179, also crafted from a single redwood trunk the unique sculpture of Time and the Maiden which adorns the top of the hall's cupola. Also known as Father Time and the Virgin, the sculpture incorporates a book and a fallen column and has become a local landmark. While its exact symbolic meaning is shrouded in Masonic secrecy, one Mason has interpreted its meaning as "Time, patience and perseverance will accomplish all things."
It has been used often as the location for movies and TV series such as Murder She Wrote (1984-1996) with Angela Lansbury and two episodes of The Fugitive (2001), with Tim Daly.
The Masonic Hall is a contributing property in the Mendocino and Headlands Historic District which was added on July 14, 1971, to the National Register of Historic Places.
Mendocino Lodge No. 179 holds its meetings in the second floor of the building while the first floor serves as the local branch of the Savings Bank of Mendocino County, which bought the building in 1977.