Salina Journal News: Masonic Temple finalist for 8 Wonders of Kansas Architecture

(photo by Tom Dorsey / Salina Journal) The large heavy metal front doors of the Masonic Temple are only opened for special occasions. | Buy Journal Photos

Masonic Temple finalist for 8 Wonders of Kansas Architecture

4/30/2008
TIM UNRUH

A little statewide recognition can’t hurt when you’re faced with a $6 million restoration and upgrade.
“It’s a nice deal,” said Palmer Price, Salina, president of Masonic Center Associates board of directors. The nonprofit company owns the Masonic Temple, 336 S. Santa Fe, that is among the 24 finalists for the 8 Wonders of Kansas Architecture competition sponsored by the Kansas Sampler Foundation.
The public will determine the top eight by voting online at www.8wonders.org, or by paper ballot through midnight June 15. The top eight will be announced June 30.
The Lebold Mansion and Seelye Mansion in Abilene and Osborne County Courthouse, Osborne, are also among the finalists.
“It would give us some good advertisement,” said Dave Von Niederhausern, Salina, the Masonic Center’s director and board treasurer.
Board members are looking into ways to fund needed upgrades to the massive building, which is rivaled in size only by the United Building and grain elevators in the downtown area.

Reporter Tim Unruh can be reached at 822-1419 or by e-mail at tunruh@salina.com.
For more on what this could mean for the Masonic Temple, read reporter Tim Unruh's story in Thursday's Salina Journal.