It’s the oldest temple structure in Oregon in continuous use as a Masonic meeting hall

With an eye toward preserving their nearly 150-year-old building, members of Jacksonville’s Warren Masonic Lodge #10 are seeking a grant of up to $400,000 from a state program that will allow for seismic, roof and window work.

The historic two-story building at the corner of Oregon and California streets needs an estimated $2.3 million in seismic rehabilitation work, according to an engineering study.

“Just to keep the building standing in the event of an earthquake, the overall cost is about $2.3 million,” said Paul Faubion, a junior warden of the lodge. The lodge hired ZCS Engineering of Medford to conduct the seismic evaluation.

If successful, the grant will allow contractors to perform ceiling penetrations to access the perimeter wall and attach them to the roof using steel connectors. The grant would also fund painting and window work.

Oregon’s Main Street Revitalization funds are being sought to support the planned work. The lodge has funding to cover its 30% match to receive the funds.

Under the program, the city of Jacksonville, which is a Main Street partner, is required to be the applicant on behalf of the property owner. City councilors unanimously approved submitting the application at their Feb. 18 session.

The masons will be responsible for preparing all necessary application materials and managing the project, including securing professional services, construction financing, contracts and all required permits and approvals from the city, Jackson County, and the state. The city’s role is limited to submitting the grant and processing disbursement requests submitted by the lodge.

There was probably a bit of building upkeep neglect for a number of years, Faubion speculated. “In the current regime, we have taken that task on. It will be a multi-year project as grant funds and other resources become available,” he said.

So far, renovation of corbels, window frames and existing wood features was performed under a grant from the city awarded last year.  The grant required a match of city funds by the lodge. It allowed for $40,000 in work.

Justin Caprari of Ashland and his renovation firm performed the work and will also cover exterior work if the grant is received. In 2017, Caprari was hired by Jackson County to restore the balcony on the 1880 U.S. Hotel, also on California Street. Carpari had also worked on historic structures in New Jersey before moving to Southern Oregon.

Two components would be conducted under the Main Street grant.

One would be replacement of the current roof and linking it into the walls. The lodge would have S+B James Construction perform the work, Faubion said.

Restoration and replacement of all upstairs exterior windows, removal of exterior lead paint and painting of the building would be undertaken by Caprari’s team.

“At some future point, when funds become available, we may do further seismic and structural work,” Faubion said. That would include reinforcement of first and second floor walls and work on the foundation.

Three businesses are located in the bottom floor of the 7,400-square-foot building. La Boheme clothing boutique and the Jacksonville Barber Shop front California Street. Jefferson Farm Kitchen is on the Oregon Street front.  The entire upstairs is used for lodge activities.

Applications for this grant cycle are due by March 13, but the lodge finished its paperwork by late February to give the city time to review the document. In addition, the State Historic Preservation Office also offers to examine grants before they are formally submitted.

The lodge hired grant-writing firm Paper Moon Company to help with the application. Faubion and lodge member Casey Palawich have also been working on it.

The current application is the first Main Street Revitalization grant since the city became a part of the program, according to Planning Director Ian Foster.

“If successful, it will significantly aid in the preservation and maintenance of a key historic resource, originally included in the original 1966 Jacksonville National Landmark District nomination, ensuring its legacy for future generations,” Foster wrote in an email.

Britt Music & Arts Festival, which recently acquired the U.S. Hotel, is considering the Main Street program to help with its renovation, said Faubion.

Brick mason George Holt constructed the current building between 1874 and 1877, according to the Historic Jacksonville Inc. website. The lodge had acquired the property after an 1874 fire at that corner destroyed many of the ancient landmarks of early Jacksonville, including the notorious El Dorado Saloon. It’s the oldest temple structure in Oregon in continuous use as a Masonic meeting hall.

Currently, there are about 150 members in the lodge, Faubion said. The organization’s community work includes cemetery plot maintenance, a book program for kids, college scholarships, support of the Christmas trolley this year and charitable donations.

An informal coffee is held at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday mornings at the lodge. More information can be found at warrenlodge-jville.org.

Reach Ashland freelance writer Tony Boom at tboomwriter@gmail.com.