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Celebrating History: Lots going on at Masonic Temple

By Emily Mayer

Havre will be celebrating our downtown area this weekend, and the timing between it and what was being published in the newspapers this week 100 years ago couldn’t be more perfect. Several announcements were being made throughout their pages, and the following two articles were printed in the May 13, 1916, issue of The Havre Plaindealer:

Will open candy shop at Masonic Temple

L. E. Thorne, who came to Montana from Toledo, O., has leased a business room in the Masonic temple and will upon completion of that building open the Colonial Candy Shop. Fixtures for the new store have already been ordered and everything will be in readiness shortly after the first of June. The fixtures include a modern soda fountain and the very latest equipment for the making of candy. Mr. Thorne is an experienced candy maker and will have charge of that part of the business, while an experienced mixer will be put in charge of the fountain.

Next meeting of Star in news Masonic Temple

The final meeting of the Order of Eastern Star in the Chestnut hall, which has served as a lodge room for so many years, occurred this week. The next meeting of the Star, which occurs on June 6th, will take place in the new Masonic temple, located at the corner of Third avenue and Third street.

Extensive preparations are being made for the dedication of the new temple on the second day of July. A committee of which Judge W. B. Pyper is chairman, is now arranging the details of the program that will be carried out upon this occasion. Prominent Masons from all over the state are expected to be present.

The Havre Daily Promoter’s “Local News” social page section carried several small advertisements regarding the moving of Forge’s to the Masonic Temple on May 10, 11 and 13, 1916, along with a social gathering:

Forge’s removal sale now on.

You can’t afford to miss Forge’s removal sale.

Rather than move our stock, we are selling at practically cost price. Forge’s.

After June 1st Forge’s will be located in the new Masonic Temple. Buy here now, as we are selling at reduced prices rather than moving the stock.

Mrs. Forge is kindly offered her new store in the Masonic temple to the young ladies of St. Agnes Guild for a dance, which will be given Tuesday, May 16th.

Forge’s was located just north of the Lou Lucke Company, on the west side of the 100 Block of 3rd Avenue, where The New You ladies’ salon is today. Forge’s took the prominent northeast corner of the Masonic Temple and remained there for many years. It was one of Havre’s finest ladies’ store, carrying clothing, shoes, pocketbooks, hats, gloves and the like.

The Hill County Democrat had this to say about the new Masonic Temple in its May 13, 1916 issue:

The dedication of the Masonic Temple will draw one of the largest crowds Havre ever had. It is a magnificent structure and an ornament to our fair city.

The Masonic Temple wasn’t the only building enjoying attention. Havre boasted many new buildings, and just because the courthouse was occupied by its various offices didn’t mean the work was entirely finished.The Democrat reported bids were being taken for fixing cement walks, driveway, curb, water piping, grading and such on the Hill County Courthouse grounds, and the newspaper gave its opinion about the courthouse’s appearance:

When the county commissioners get through they are going to have one of the prettiest courthouse yards one ever beheld. Commissioner Berthelote is giving the matter his personal attention, has an energetic force at work and Hill county can take some pride in beholding a court-house site beautiful.

A new publication regarding the courthouse will be released later this year. This labor of love has been in progress for several years, and I have had a lot of fun going through the newspapers and documents about this gorgeous historic structure. Working in the building for 14 years has been enjoyable, and quite frankly it is nice to go to work in a pretty building that has history and soul!

The courthouse and Masonic Temple were just two among many buildings being built or improved in Havre. A new story was being added to the Grand Hotel, Pat Yeon was doubling the size of his new building on 1st Street and 7th Avenue, Louis Bay was building a large store across from the Farmers’ Elevator, and several new homes were being built.

There were no parties to report in the Plaindealer’s “Society” column, probably because most of them were very busy hosting the Women’s District Federation meeting throughout town. A variety of subjects were discussed, and visitors were very impressed with Havre’s progress and hospitality. After all that work, attendees were invited to wrap up the event at a reception held at the Meyers’ residence, the former Pepin mansion, located where the Havre-Hill County Library is today. This article was on the front page of the Promoter’s May 11, 1916, issue:

Visiting Guests Were Entertained At Reception

The Woman’s Club of Havre conducted two days’ entertainment of the women of the Federated Woman’s clubs in this city last evening with a reception at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Myers.

The large beautiful home was decorated for the occasion with roses and ferns, and there were a profusion of the plants and flowers about the house making the atmosphere aromatic with the blooms.

Little Miss Lillian Bossout presided at the door and in the receiving line were: Mrs. J. A. Wright, Mrs. F. F. Bossout, Mrs. Dr. Wilkie, Mrs. Harold Archibald, Mrs. Ed. Allan, Mrs. R. X. Lewis and Mrs. D. S. MacKenzie.

Presiding at the refreshment table were Miss Mary Stranahan, Miss Anna Skylstead, Miss Anna Wilson and Mrs. T. E. McClintock, who served the guests with fruit punch and wafers.

The following program was given in the drawing room:

Selection- — avre Saxophone Orchestra

Vocal Solo — Mrs. Hall, Malta

Reading — Mrs. Schwartz

Vocal Solo- — Mrs. O. Keefe

Selection — Saxophone Orchestra

Vocal Solo — Mr. F. McCarthy

Piano Solo — Miss Hoffoss

Vocal Solo — Mr. Xtwater.

 

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