Seattle Historical Sites

Summary for 307 NE Maple Leaf PL NE / Parcel ID 9529100005 / Inv # GL002

Historic Name: Masonic Lodge #149 Common Name: same Style: Spanish - Mediterranean Neighborhood: Green Lake Built By: Bebb & Gould Year Built: 1924   Significance In the opinion of the survey, this property appears to meet the criteria of the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Ordinance. The Masonic Lodge is one of Green Lake's outstanding buildings, and one of the most emblematic (307 NE Maple Leaf Pl and 7208 Green Lake Way N). During the first quarter of the 20th century, lodges were a very important part of growth and community-building in each town and larger neighborhoods. This elaborate structure shows the maturity of the Green Lake community at the time of its construction in 1924. It was designed in 1921-22 by the prominent architectural firm of Bebb and Gould. The storefronts were remodeled in 1946-49 by Walter Weedin, an engineer. Carl Gould, one the city's most prominent and influential architects, had been educated at L'Ecole De Beaux-Arts in Paris and interned with McKim Mead and White in New York. Following projects in San Francisco and Wisconsin, he arrived in Seattle in 1908 and began working in association with Daniel Huntington, designing primarily houses and apartment buildings. In1914 he formed a partnership with an experienced local architect, Charles H. Bebb. This firm did the plan for the University of Washington campus, and Gould himself designed 18 buildings there, including Suzzallo Library. He also founded the Department of Architecture. This Masonic lodge was one of more than 200 projects the firm did between 1914 and 1924. Bebb's involvement declined after that, but Gould continued to practice until his death in 1939.   Appearance This two-story rectangular building is clad in brown wire-cut brick with extensive terra cotta trim. The lodge hall is on the second floor, with the first floor devoted to commercial storefronts. The concrete cornice is elaborate with medallions and rope detailing. The most striking feature is a very wide terra cotta belt course that extends the entire length of the south and west elevations; it has ornate medallions at intervals. The west façade has a large blind arch at each end of the second floor; these are filled with terra cotta in a rope and knot pattern. Between and above them is an oversized Masonic emblem. The larger storefront on the first floor is altered with new sash and doors and a large multicolored fabric canopy. The smaller storefront is less altered; it has an canopy and a blade sign. The entry to the lodge hall is on the west facade, through an elaborate terra cotta archway with rope and acanthus ornament. Above the entry are three pairs of arched windows flanked by twisted columns. Above them is another oversized Masonic emblem. To the south of these three pairs of windows are five arched windows, spaced along the wall (probably the lodge hall on the inter) with another pair of large arched windows at the southwest corner. Some of these windows have newer sash. The elaborate archway is flanked by two small storefronts that seem to be largely unaltered with recessed doorways and concrete bulkheads. The north elevation on the alley is clad in red brick.

Detail for 307 NE Maple Leaf PL NE / Parcel ID 9529100005 / Inv # GL002

Status: Yes - Inventory Classication: Building District Status: Cladding(s): Brick, Terra cotta Foundation(s): Concrete - Poured Roof Type(s): Flat Roof Material(s): Unknown Building Type: Social - Clubhouse Plan: Rectangular Structural System: Masonry - Unreinforced No. of Stories: two Unit Theme(s): Commerce, Social Movements & Organizations Integrity Changes to Plan: Intact Changes to Windows: Slight Changes to Original Cladding: Intact Major Bibliographic References Booth, T. William and William H. Wilson. Carl F. Gould: A Life in Architecture and Arts. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1995. City of Seattle DCLU Microfilm Records. King County Property Record Card (c. 1938-1972), Washington State Archives. Ochsner, Jeffrey Karl, ed. Shaping Seattle Architecture, A Historical Guide to the Architects. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1994.

Photo collection for 307 NE Maple Leaf PL NE / Parcel ID 9529100005 / Inv # GL002

Photo taken Mar 20, 2002