7.2 HC Designation Appl CITY OF SALINA
REQUEST FOR CITY COMMISSION ACTION DATE TIME
5/17/99 4:00 P.M.
AGENDA SECTION: ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT: APPROVED FOR
NO. AGENDA:
7 PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT
ITEM ROY DUDARK/~
NO. 2
BY: BY:~'t~
Item
Consider a recommendation to the State Historic Preservation Office regarding the eligibility of the
Masonic Temple, 336 S. Santa Fe Avenue for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. The
property consists of twelve platted lots along S. Santa Fe and Seventh Street comprising 75,000 square
feet or 1.72 acres.
Backeround
At the request of the Salina Masonic Center, the Salina Heritage Commission has assisted in the
preparation of a Registration Form to submit to the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)
nominating the Salina Masonic Temple to the National Register. Listing the Temple would provide
recognition for its historic and/or architectural significance to the community, state and nation. It
would also allow the property to become eligible for certain State and Federal programs to assist in the
preservation of this historic resource, such as the Kansas Heritage Trust Fund.
As a certified local government under the State's Historic Preservation Program, the Salina Heritage
Commission and City Commission are required to submit a report to the SHPO regarding the eligibility
of a property proposed for nomination to the National Register within their jurisdiction. The report
shall include the recommendation of the Heritage Commission and the Chief Elected Official stating
their opinion on why the property is eligible under the National Register Criteria of Eligibility. A
reasonable opportunity for public comment on the proposed nomination shall also be provided.
Planning staff submitted the final draft of the nomination to the Salina Heritage Commission on April
28, 1999. Notice of the public hearing by the Heritage Commission was provided to all owners of
property within 500 feet of the area considered for nomination. Following the public hearing the
Heritage Commission approved the nomination application (7-0) with a recommendation that the City
Commission concur in determining the Temple eligible for listing and, if in agreement with the
recommendation, to submit a report to the SHPO supporting the nomination.
National Register Criteria of Eligibility
The National Register nomination for the Masonic Temple submits that the resource is eligible under
the following applicable National Register Criteria:
Criteria A: That the property has been associated with events that have made a significant
contribution to the broad patterns of our history.
CITY OF SALINA
REQUEST FOR CITY COMMISSION ACTION DATE TIME
5/17/99 4:00 P.M.
AGENDA SECTION: ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT: APPROVED FOR
NO. AGENDA:
PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT
ITEM ROY DUDARK
NO.
Page 2 BY: BY:
The nomination submits that the Masonic Temple is historically significant for its association with the
growth and development of Salina during the 1920's. The local membership of Masonic Lodge No.
60 were granted a charter in 1867, the year the Kansas Pacific Railroad reached Salina. There followed
in Salina, as elsewhere in the nation, a City building era, from 1867 to 1890 where extraordinary
National efforts were required to keep pace with the housing and commercial needs for an exploding
population. Salina took its place in the westward expansion movement to alleviate overcrowding in
the eastem industrialized cities. Merchants and businessmen who settled in Salina brought with them
their ethnic traditions as well as their business and fraternal affiliations. The central business district
which expanded along Santa Fe Avenue along a 4-block area between Ash and Mulberry saw the
erection of several business and fraternal lodges including the International Order of Odd Fellows Hall
at 101-103 N. Seventh Street, the Lydon Lodge No. 5 of the Knights of Pythias, 200 North Santa Fe
and the First Masonic Temple at 122-126 South Santa Fe, all constructed in the mid 1880's.
Two disastrous fires shaped the early Salina business district, occurring in 1871 and again in 1875.
Commercial buildings thereafter were required to be built of fire-proof masonry materials.
Reconstructed buildings were brick, usually two and three storied with cast iron and glass storefronts
and decorative brick or stone cornices and window surrounds. Even with those precautions the first
Salina Temple, constructed in 1886 suffered a fire in 1895. Undaunted by this, Salina Masons erected
a new Temple building on the site of the former building the following year. The local membership
of Lodge No. 60 grew to include the two bodies of the York Rite, four bodies of the Scottish Rite,
Shrine and Eastern Star, chartered before 1891. Throughout the early years of Salina's history these
have included many men who have represented civic affairs and substantial business concerns which
were instrumental in the development of the community. When a fire consumed the second Masonic
Temple in 1922, plans were already underway to erect a monumental structure at its present site where
all local bodies of Masons as well as Shrine and Scottish Rite membership from 43 counties of North
Central and Northwest Kansas could assemble.
Criteria C: That the property embodies distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of
construction or that the property represents the work of a master architect or builder.
The nomination also submits that the Masonic Temple is architecturally significant as an example of
the Nco-Classical Revival style. The monumental six-story structure is faced with Carthage, Tennessee
marble, with a colossal Ionic portico of Bedford, Indiana Limestone which dominates its principal
facade. Completed in 1927 at a cost of over $1,000,000, the structure is the most distinctive feature
along the South Santa Fe Avenue business corridor. Two other major structures in Salina were also
constructed in the classical style, which was prevalent in construction of public and private buildings
requiring a grand scale between 1890 and 1920. These include Memorial Hall, designed by Charles
Shaver in 1922 and the Old Saline County Courthouse constructed in 1900 by designers C.G. Wilmarth
and Isaac
CITY OF SALINA
REQUEST FOR CITY COMMISSION ACTION DATE TIME
5/17/99 4:00 P.M.
AGENDA SECTION: ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT: APPROVED FOR
NO. AGENDA:
PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT
ITEM ROY DUDARK
NO.
Page 3 BY: BY:
L. Zerbe. The block-long classical Temple stands as a dominate element in the central Salina business
district and retains excellent integrity to its original design. The scale and rich exterior and interior
detail distinguish the Masonic Temple as one of the finest and most impressive examples of the Neo-
Classical style in the region.
The Masonic Temple was one of the twenty significant Salina structures identified in the Kansas
Inventory of Historic Sites "Historic Preservation in Kansas, Volume 2 - Architecture" completed by
the Kansas State Historical Society in 1973. It was designated a Local Heritage Conservation
Landmark by the City of Salina in 1986. The Salina, Kansas Historic Preservation Plan, adopted by
the City in 1995, identifies the Temple as one of eleven local historic landmarks that are recommended
for placement on the State and National Registers.
Effect of National Re~,ister Status
The National Register is the official list of America's districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects
that are considered worth of preservation. Neither a major regulatory program nor simply an honor
roll, the creation of the National Register was authorized under the Historic Preservation Act of 1966.
The Register is part of a federal, state and local program administered by the National Park Service to
coordinate, as well as support, public and private efforts to identify, evaluate and protect cultural
resources that contribute to an understanding of American History.
Salina currently has six properties listed on the State and National Registers. These properties
themselves receive protective review for any project undertaken that might adversely affect the
character of the historic property. Additionally, under Kansas Law, certain exterior construction or
demolition projects occurring within the environs, or generally within 500 feet of a listed historic
landmark, are also reviewed for their potential effect on the listed resource. The City of Salina entered
into an agreement with the SHPO in 1996 to allow the Salina Heritage Commission to perform all
statutory responsibilities of the SHPO in design review. To date, of all projects referred to the
Commission for review only one demolition proposal has been determined as being incompatible with
the character of a listed National Register property or its environs. This determination was
subsequently overturned by the City Commission
Planning Staff would not anticipate any extraordinary difficulties resulting to private properties within
the environs of the proposed nominated property. The Masonic Temple is bordered on three sides by
contemporary commercial development, primarily the Salina Regional Health Center Santa Fe Campus
facilities and parking areas to the south and east, and the Downtown Salina Business District to the
north. Future development in either of those areas would not have the potential of altering or removing
historic character defining features of the nominated property's environs. Projects affecting existing
residential properties situated to the north and west of the nominated site would receive a lower level
of scrutiny because these do not face the principal two facades of the nominated historic resource.
CITY OF SALINA
REQUEST FOR CITY COMMISSION ACTION DATE TIME
7/15/99 4:00 P.M.
AGENDA SECTION: ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT: APPROVED FOR
NO. AGENDA:
PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT
ITEM ROY DUDARK
NO.
Page 4 BY: BY:
City Commission Action
Following review of any additional information presented at the hearing, the City Commission may
take the following alternative actions:
Option 1. Concur with the recommendation of the Salina Heritage Commission finding that the
Salina Masonic Temple meets the necessary Criteria of Eligibility for nomination to the
National Register and direct staff to submit this report with an affirmation from the
Heritage Commission and Chief Elected Official to the State Historic Preservation
Office supporting the nomination.
Should the Heritage Commission and Chief elected Official agree that the proposed
nomination meets the Criteria for listing the property in the National Register, the State
Historic Preservation Officer will schedule the nomination for consideration by the
Kansas Historic Sites Board of Review at the earliest opportunity. If approved by the
Board the property is entered in the Kansas Register of Historic Places and forwarded
by the SHPO to the Keeper of the National Register for consideration by the National
Park Service staff.
Option 2. Disapprove the recommendation of the Salina Heritage Commission finding that the
Salina Masonic Temple does not meet the necessary Criteria of Eligibility for
nomination to the National Register of Historic Places.
Should the local preservation commission and Chief Elected Official disagree on
whether the proposed nomination meets the National Register Criteria, those findings
would be fowarded with the nomination to the SHPO. The Kansas Historic Sites Board
of Review, after considering all opinions from the local preservation commission and
Chief Elected Official, shall make its recommendation to the State Historic
Preservation Officer. According to the Federal Regulations, properties approved by the
Board may be forwarded by the SHPO to the Keeper of the National Register for
consideration by the National Park Service staff.
Staff Recommendation
The City Commission should take action as determined to be in the best interest of the community,
based on consideration of all relevant factors.
Encl: National Register Nomination Form, 336 S. Santa Fc
Minutes of the HC Meeting of April 28, 1999
cc: Salina Masonic Center Board of Trustees
NP$ Form 10-900 OMB No. 10024-0018
(Oct. 1990)
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Registration Form
This form is for use in nominating or requesting determinations for individual properties and districts. See instructions in How to Comp~te the
NaUonai Register of Historic Places Registmtfon Form (National Register Bulletin 16A). Complete each item .by marking "x" in the appropriate box or
by entedng the information requested. If an item does not apply to the property being documented, entel "N1A" for "net applicable." For functions,
architectural classification, materials, and areas of significance, enter only categories and subcategodes from the instructions. Place additional
entries and narrative items on continuation sheets (NPS Form 10-900a). Use a typewriter, word processor, or computer, to complete all items.
1. Name of Property
Masonic Temple
historic name
other names/site number M a s o n i c C e n t e r
2. Location
street & number 3 3 6 S o u t h S a n t a F e A v e n u e [] not for publication
Salina
city or town [] vicinity
state Kansas code KS county Saline code~169 zipcode 67401
3. State/Federal Agency Certification
As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended, I hereby certify that this [] nomination
[] request for determination of eligibility meets the documentation standards for registering properties in the National Register of
Historic Places and meets the procedural and professional requirements set forth in 36 CFR Part 60. In my opinion, the property
[] meets [] does not meet the National Register criteria. I recommend that this property be considered significant
[] nationally I"] statewide [] locally. ([] See continuation sheet for additional comments.)
Signature of certifying officialFF~le' Date
State of Federal agency and bureau
In my opinion, the property [] meets [] does not meet the National Register criteria. (I-'1 See continuation sheet for additional
comments.)
Signature of certifying official/Title Date
State or Federal agency and bureau
4. National Park Service Certification
I hereby certify that the property is: Signature of the Keeper Date of Action
[] entered in the National Register.
[] See continuation sheet.
[] determined eligible for the
National Register
[] See continuation sheet.
[] determined not eligible for the
National Register.
[] removed from the National
Register.
[] other, (explain:)
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MINUTES
SALINA CITY HERITAGE COMMISSION
CITY COMMISSION ROOM
APRIL 28, 1999
4:00 P.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Douglass, Errebo, Ewalt, Gillam, Nelson, O'Leary and
Weiner
MEMBERS ABSENT:
PLANNING STAFF: Burger and Fisher
The hearing began at 4:00.
#1. Minutes of January 27, 1999.
Minutes of January 27, 1999 approved as presented.
#2. Consider a recommendation to the State Historic Preservation OffiCe regarding the
eligibility of the Masonic Temple, 336 S. Santa Fe for listing on the National/State
Register of Historic Places.
Mr. Burger stated at the request of the Salina Masonic Center the Salina Heritage
Commission and City Planning Staff have assisted in the preparation of a
nomination to list the Masonic Temple on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Heritage Commission reviewed a draft of the nomination during their last
meeting. Listing of the property would provide recognition for both its historic and
architectural significance. It also will allow the property to become eligible for
various State and Federal programs which could assist in the preservation of the
historic resource such as the Kansas Heritage Trust Fund. As a certified local
government, the Salina Heritage Commission and City Commission are required to
submit a report either in favor of or opposed to any nomination within their
jurisdiction and send that to the State Historic Preservation Officer with the final
draft. A reasonable opportunity for public comment is also required in the process.
We have notified all property owners within 500 feet of the Temple property giving
them the opportunity to come in today or to submit information if they cannot.
Following this public heating should both the City Commission and the Heritage
Commission agree the proposed nomination meets the Criteria for the listing on the
National Register, the application will then be forwarded to the State for further
action. There are some effects to a national register property listing. Salina
currently has six properties on the State and National Register and these properties
themselves receive protective review by the Heritage Commission for any
Salina City Heritage Commission
April 28, 1999
Page 2
construction activity that might adversely affect the character of the historic
property. Additionally, under Kansas Law, the Heritage Commission reviews
demolition other exterior construction projects generally located within 500 ft. of
the National Register property. To date, most projects referred to the Commission
in this process have been found to be compatible with the character of the listed
property. I would like to start the slide presentation if I may. The Criteria for
Evaluation for the Masonic Temple is identified as having made a significant
contribution to the broad patterns of our history and that the property embodies
distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of construction. The Masonic
Temple was built between 1992 and 1927. It is a monumental six-story Neo-
Classical Revival structure entirely composed of Bedford Indiana limestone and
Carthage Tennessee marble. It is located on a prominent location in the southern
portion of the Downtown Salina Business District. It is 125 ft. in width and
approximately 170 ft. in length. The Temple has served as a fraternal meeting hall
for various Masonic organizations of north central and northwest Kansas since its
completion in 1927. The Temple, originally designed by Oklahoma City architect
William Schmidtt, emulates the Nco-Classical Revival Style. The buildings
monumental proportions and simplified interpretation of classical forms
emphatically state this is a structure of importance, permanence and stability. The
Temple's horizontal massing is expressed through its heavy ashlar base at ground
level and a main building entablature which encircles the buildings at the fifth floor.
A cornice balustrade and monumental attic story surmounts both of these. The
proportions and features are repeated on all facades of the Temple. This shows the
north exterior stair tower and the colossal pilasters which enframe the various
windows of the structure. The building is supported by concrete frame reinforced
with structural steel. Its foundation, floors and roof are also reinforced concrete.
The main body of the building, its base and ground floor architraves are comprised
entirely of Carthage marble. The portico structure and main entablature are
comprised of Bedford limestone. A monumental portico in the Greek Ionic Order,
its podium and a grand entrance stair project from the center of the building. The
six four-story Ionic columns are each 42 feet in height and five feet in diameter and
support an entablature and cornice balustrade. Below the volutes of each column
capital are carved limestone emblems which display the various Masonic orders
which are represented at the Temple: the Blue Lodge, Chapter, Commandry,
Scottish Rite, Shrine and Eastern Star. Paired oversize bronze doors lead to the
main entrance of the Temple on the east. These are embellished by a carved stone
door surround with an ornate antepagrnent of scrollwork and anthemion. The main
lobby is located on the east end of the building. It is two stories in height. It's
marble flooring is a checkerboard pattern of pink and grey Alabama marble with a
Verde antique border. Rectangular Ionic pilasters surmount marble pedestals
around the walls of the lobby and heavy beams of ornamental plaster extend above
Salina City Heritage Commission
April 28, 1999
Page 3
the lobby. Two pair of Ionic columns separate the main lobby from the open
northeast stair. The building is embellished throughout with ornamental plaster in
reliefs, ceiling soffits, cornices and a tri color paint scheme. This shows the
embellishment around one of the doors leading from the east lobby into the banquet
hall. The northeast stair features at its first floor this carved marble banister with
marble balustrades. The treads and risers are marble as is the newel post and a cast
bronze um sits on that. This is the south lobby. It has massive square Doric
pilasters that support the second floor mezzanine. The lobby's atrium railing is
bordered by an ornamental plaster balustrade and this is decorated with a series of
rosettes. Heavy plaster console brackets support the balustrade. This shows its
large Art Deco chandelier of etched and fluted art glass with brass trim that is
suspended at its center. The south stair connects all floors of the lobby near the
elevators. It is constructed of marble from the ground floor to the mezzanine which
is one floor above this floor. The main floor banquet hall is two-storied with a
seating capacity of 1,100 on the main floor, 450 on the second floor mezzanine. It
has a solid plaster balcony railing trimmed with rosettes. A commercial kitchen
adjoins the west wall of the banquet hall. The third floor auditorium encompasses
the next three floors. There are two balcony levels, a 36 foot high ceiling with
permanent seating capacity of 1200. The auditorium has a 50 x 70 fi. maple
ballroom floor. A 31 fi. x 66 ft. stage and procenium features 104 scenery drops
that provide various backgrounds for ceremonial activities of the Shrine and
Scottish Rite. This shows a close up of the central medallion over the stage
procenium. There is a lot of ornamental plaster work carded thoughout these
spaces no matter how large they are. A stained glass window crafted in Germany in
1926 is displayed in the third floor south lobby. This was donated by the
Dedication class of 1927. Both the fourth floor and fifth floor provide access to the
auditorium with little other useable space. The fourth floor was offices for the
Temple in earlier years. These have been located to other floors over time. The
sixth floor contains the lodge rooms for the Blue Lodge, York Rite and the Eastern
Star. The Blue Lodge shown here is the most ornate containing three dias fixtures
representing various ceremonial degrees of Masonry. Furnishings here are largely
symbolical in arrangement. The dias thrones are flamed by ceiling-high mahogany
columns. The history of the Temple is provided in greater detail in the report. It is
noteable that both designers of the Temple, the original designer and the designer
that took over construction following a partial collapse during 1921 were both
Mason's. A Mason was the general contractor for the project and various Masonic
rituals influenced the overall design of the structure. The Grand Lodge chartered
the local Lodge in Salina October 17, 1867. The other Masonic bodies were
chartered soon after and by 1891 the two bodies of the York Rite, the four bodies of
the Scottish Rite, the Isis Shrine or Eastern Star occupied the earlier Temples.
There were two previous fires which destroyed the first two Temple's that were
Salina City Heritage Commission
April 28, 1999
Page 4
constructed in Salina in 1895 and in 1922. The Masonic Temple you see today was
completed in 1927 after six years of construction at a cost of over one million
dollars. The building, now renamed the Masonic Center, remains active with
numerous organizational and public events scheduled throughout the year. The
Scottish Rite and Shrine membership is drawn from 43 counties in northeast
Kansas. The Temple has the capacity and central location to accommodate a
statewide meeting held each year by the Grand Lodge of Kansas as well as the
Chapter Council and Commandry of the York Rite bodies. Members of all
northwest Kansas Counties attend the Scottish Rite reunions and Shrine ceremonies
at the Temple. The staff report submits that the Masonic Temple is historically
significant for its association with the growth and development of Salina during the
1920's. Many of the communities early business and civic leaders were
instrumental in the planning and erection of all three Temples. This Temple is one
of only five or six in the Nation that was designed to house all local Masonic
bodies. Architecturally, the Temple is significant as an example of the Neo-
Classical Revival style, the scale and rich exterior and interior detail distinguish it
as one of the finest and most impressive examples of that style in the region. That
will conclude the staff presentation on this. We have provided Commissioners with
several alternatives. It goes in a stepped process from here to the City Commission
depending on what you find today. After that is completed then we submit it to the
State Preservation Office. You may approve the nomination application and
recommend to City Commission do so also and to direct staff to submit a
supportive report to the State Preservation Office. The other alternatives would be
disapprove the nomination or to continue this hearing until additional information
can be acquired.
Mrs. Ewalt stated thank you John and I commend you for the thorough preparation.
It is an excellent history and fine report. Before we go on I would like to know if
there are representatives of the Masonic Center here who would like to speak to the
application.
Robert G. Frederick, 851D Fairdale, Salina, KS. We have five trustees, presently
there are four of us here. We are very proud of the building and we would be more
than pleased to have it given the status that could be received. Thank you.
Mrs. Ewalt asked is there anyone else who wishes to speak on this application?
Hearing none I will open it up to discussion for the Commissioners.
MOTION: Mrs. Weiner moved to approve the nomination as presented and to recommend that
the City Commission concur in determining the Temple eligible of the listing and
ask that they direct staff to submit a joint report to the State Historic Preservation
Office supporting this nomination.
Salina City Heritage Commission
April 28, 1999
Page 5
SECOND: Mr. Nelson seconded the motion.
VOTE: Motion carded 7-0.
cor~!tions regarding application for Historic Sign Designation.
Mr. B~rger stated the sign application originally appeared before the
during their January 28, 1998 meeting. The Heritage
that application with the condition that the the
sign to its condition or more appropriate to its historic The
sign was comply with two of the three necessary We granted
the owner an 90 days during our January 27, 1999 to meet the
condition. I met Mr. Pemey yesterday and he that he had some
difficulty with the and getting the equipment complete the work.
Unfortunately he today, he is out of town he asked me to
present the application alternatives that I have He mentioned that he
is seeking our advice as any recommended by the Commission. The
alternatives would be to the existing poi as it now appears. Staff
would not recommend that~ it has been significantly altered
and carries little historic association state. Alternative two wood be
to grant the applicant an extension complete the restoration, generally
that comes with a stated period of it would it be three months or
longer. Alternative three would be to the application at this point. If
the Commission did so any application would not be able to
occur within one year of that or change of ownership whichever
comes first. We bring that to
Mrs. Ewalt appear that we also fourth alternative today in
that we could table on this particular item next meeting is that
correct?
Mr. Burger stated that is an alternative action we have
Mrs. Ewalt do we understand the alternative? Discussion.
Mr. stated I think it is a fine idea, Abner is the one that has the ball
and I in the past he has asked for additional time, if he wants from
my that is great, I tend to agree with the recommendation
is it is not necessarily worthy of this designation but if Mr. Pemey