I have written before about the odd fact that, in a sense, I seem to be living in a Robert Anton Wilson novel, working in a city heavily influenced by the Freemason movement.
Here's what I wrote in a blog post last year: "Above is the original plat for the city of Sandusky, Ohio, which is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year. A Freemason named Hector Kilbourne laid out the city streets to reproduce the mason's compass and square design. Masons in Sandusky, where I work for the local newspaper, say Sandusky is the only city in the U.S. with a masonic street design."
When I drive to work, I routinely go through an oddball intersection of five streets, as a result of the design.
Recently I participated in an annual Christmas candlelight home tour in Sandusky, and one of the stops was a place that's not a home: the Masonic Temple, built in 1889. I asked for permission to take photos, and they said sure, so here are a few to share with you.
The lodge room, as seen from the balcony. Note the picture of George Washington, Freemason, on the left.
View of lodge room from the interior.
Artwork of George Washington, Freemason.
The locker room, where I am told the Knights Templars put on their uniforms.
The library, with lots of rather old looking books.
The Washington Square you see in the above original plat of the city is now Washington Park, which dominates downtown Sandusky. Of course, it's not unusual for an American city to reference the first president, but looking at the Washington picture in the Masonic Temple, I wonder if that also is an illustration of the Freemason influence on Sandusky.
