Some of Buffalo's most interesting and mysterious buildings were erected by the Free Masons for their meeting places. We have featured two of them in the past. This one is in South Buffalo and this one, now Canisius High School, was the main consistory of the Buffalo order. Anyone who has ever been inside these wonderful buildings will attest to their dramatic flare. They were designed as stage sets to Masonic ritual and are often generously decorated with symbolic motifs and sculpture. Unfortunately most are closed to the general public.
There is at
least one place you can go to see inside a Masonic Lodge. Yes that would
be in Black Rock. Gothic City Architectural
Salvage, located at 1940 Niagara encompasses 3 or four buildings and an open
air lot. One of those buildings is a former Masonic lodge. The
store sells antiques, collectables, items who's purpose has been lost to time,
and many salvaged architectural fragments.
One of the most interesting pieces currently for sale is the old streamlined Streng Oldsmobile "rocket" sign, which stood for many decades on Main Street. This vast collection of salvaged history is for sale to the public. Much of it is housed inside the creaky old Masonic building. The old stone building stuffed to the gills with the stuff of lost generations adds up to a wonderful experience of architectural theater. Its a great weekend destination. Bring some money because you will definitely find something you want to buy.
Remember Buffalo
Tours has a Black Rock
tour scheduled for Saturday, September 5th. There is a second tour also
scheduled in October. Tours start at 10 AM and cost $10. For more
information contact Buffalo Tours.
There was another Masonic Lodge located at the corner of Kenmore Avenue and Myron up until a year(?) ago. It was burnt to the ground by a lightning strike. You can still see it nicely on Google maps.
It's interesting how many similarities these lodges all share.