The Temple Building

Susan Doak

Southwest Nebraska Genealogy Society

"PROSPECT IS MOST PROMISING," exclaims the McCook Tribune front page headline on May 1, 1908. "Proposed Masonic Temple-Opera House Enterprise Meeting with Enthusiastic Popular Approval."

The Tribune story continues, "No one could have attended the citizens' meeting in the McCook commercial club rooms, Monday evening, held in furtherance of the proposition to build a Masonic temple and opera house in combination, without feeling a swelling tide of optimism as to the final outcome of the campaign recently inaugurated to accomplish that greatly-to-be-desired result."

According to the reporter, Dr. C. L. Fahnestock and Albert Barnett spoke in favor of the building, noting that the Masonic fraternity had accomplished the purchase of three lots on Main (now Norris) Avenue adjoining the present post office building. Pictures of the proposed building, along with blueprints, plans and elevations, were hung upon the walls of the club room.

Mr. Barnett pointed out the great commercial progress that McCook had accomplished in its young 25-year history and suggested that now is one of the best times in the city's history "for those who have benefitted to do something worthwhile for McCook."

If you look at the building today (west corner of Norris Avenue and West D Street), it is hard to imagine that the entire cost of the space was estimated to be $35,000! The building was proposed to hold a modern opera house seating 1,000 people, splendid Masonic temple facilities, two fine store fronts and several suites of offices.

Several local business men spoke in favor of the building including: Messrs. Walsh, Boyle, Carman, Waite, Pennell, Morland, Kimmell, Menard and Thompson.

How were they planning on raising the money to build this stately building? They were going to sell stock subscriptions, not ask for tax dollars! By Nov. 27, 1908, the construction was in progress with estimates of $45,000 to finish the building completely with plumbing, heating, wiring and furnishings, which meant the organizers had an additional $15,000 to raise for the project. Once the stocks began selling, the paper actually printed the names of the stockholders and the amount they had purchased along with a question: "Is Your Name Printed Here?"

That issue of the Tribune states: "This is not an impossible sum, as quite a number of McCook's richest people have so far not contributed a penny to this great city enterprise. Now if those who are ale and heavily interested in McCook realty and McCook's advancement will do their part the enterprise will go on without delay and to the earliest possible completion."

They must have done their part and then some because the Oct. 21, 1909, Tribune's front page notes: "McCook's $60,000 structure is formally opened before an admiring public. McCook has a theatre building unexcelled in this state, capable of accommodating the big attractions and is destined to be a source of much gratification to our people. "

Nearly 3,000 shares of stock were issued to build this fabulous building. When the final $10,000 needed to be raised because the board of directors felt the building should be completed in good style, without skimping in final and interior details, the stockholders voted to devote the net proceeds from building rentals to the balance, rather than issuing more stock. It would be interesting to see one of the original stock certificates!

This Thursday, the Southwest Nebraska Genealogy Socity library will be open from 6-8 p.m. Join us for research help. Remember our new web site is www.swngs.org.