25 Van Ness was originally the post-Earthquake & Fire home of the Masonic Temple of California, erected in 1911. The mission of the secretive Masons was to make good men better men. Apparently this was achieved by 1978, which I don't remember being famous for good behavior in San Francisco. The Masons might've waned in popularity, but there is still the Masonic Auditorium on Nob Hill, and the Masonic lodge on 19th Avenue & Sloat. The building was sold and remodeled in 1984. Pieces were kept; pieces were lost. It now houses a variety of SF government-related entities, from the Dept. of Health to the SF Rent Board. Great online article here: https://hoodline.com/2015/02/inside-25-van-ness-a-repurposed-masonic-temple
Comments