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History of Friendship Masonic Center
In 1921, Friendship Masonic Lodge No. 160 acquired the outstanding bonds of the Rose City Park Club, which had built
a building at NE 57th and Alameda and then experienced financial difficulty. In May 1922, the Grand Lodge of Oregon approved
the Lodge's move to the former Rose City Park Club building.
In June 1927, principally due to the efforts of Worshipful Bro. William Wallace Youngson, Sr. (1869-1955), a beautiful
statue of George Washington was dedicated and unveiled on a plot of ground donated to the city of Portland by Friendship Masonic Lodge
No. 160.
On April 27, 1939, Friendship Lodge dedicated a new addition to the building which included a banquet hall and a full
cement basement with recreational facilities. On May 21, 1955, Grand Lodge officers broke ground for an annex to house a new
Lodge room. The architect, Bro. Glenn Stanton (1895-1969), was inspired by the statue of George washington to design the new
addition in a Colonial motif. The contractor, Bro. Albert Stromberg (1913-2004), built the new addition at his cost.
On October 26, 1997, Friendship Masonic Lodge No. 160 held a rededication service
having made major repairs and renovations to the original building (in the preceding three years) including painting, rewiring,
new acoustical ceilings, lighting and carpenting, a reception room with new floor, ceiling and lights, renovation of the Secretary's
office and major roof repairs.
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