Masonic Temple
301 Court St., Atoka, OKConstructed in 1915, the Masonic Temple in Atoka is symbolic of the birth and growth of Masonry in Oklahoma, one of the state's foremost social and humanitarian institutions. By 1855 some five chapters of the Masonic Lodge existed in what is now Oklahoma, but of these only two survived the Civil War. In the post-war period organizational activity was resumed under the leadership of the Grand Lodge of Arkansas. Of the new chapters chartered the first was the Ok-la-ho-ma Lodge at Boggy Depot in 1868, the Grand Master of which was J. S. Murrow. The following year the lodge was removed to Atoka and thereafter, under the guidance of Murrow, the "Father of Oklahoma Masonry," became one of the foremost chapters in Indian Territory and later Oklahoma. In 1875 it was the fourth chapter to affiliate with the Grand Lodge of Indian Territory; in 1880 it organized the second chapter of Royal Arch Masons within the Territory, and in 1883 it formed the first Council of Royal and Select Masters. Murrow himself served as Grand Master of the Indian Territory Lodge in 1877-1878, as Grand Secretary between 1879 and 1912, and as Grand High Priest of Royal Arch Masons in 1880-1881. Ok-la-ho-ma Lodge also had responsibility for the Masonic Orphan's Home which was located in Atoka between 1908-1910. The contributions and strength of the Atoka chapter were confirmed by the dedication of their new temple in 1915, the ceremonies of which were performed by "Father" Murrow. The present structure, then, symbolizes the role of the Ok-la-ho-ma Lodge in the formation and development of Masonry within the state.
The Masonic Temple property is also significant because it is of an architectural design unique to the community. Excepting one other building (the Zweigel & Weintraub Hardware Store), it is the only three story structure in the town, and it is by far the largest public and private building. Moreover, the integrity of its original design is largely unimpaired, except for the aluminum facade on the southern front along its lower story.
The property is also important because it is one of seven substantial buildings that still remains in "downtown" Atoka. As such it has considerable potential to community planners who seek to revive the commercial district. The lower floor has always been utilized by different business enterprises, the occupant with the longest tenure being the electric company--Public Service Company of Oklahoma.
Because it is symbolic of the birth and growth of Masonry in Indian Territory and Oklahoma, because it has a locally unique architectural design, and because it has community planning value, the Masonic Temple of Atoka, Oklahoma is worthy of being added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.