19 Oct rare dedication booklet published shortly after completion of burnham and root’s masonic temple
burnham and root’s masonic temple building (1892) was located erected on the corner of state and randolph. the 21-story skyscraper was demolished in 1939. sadly, john wellborn root and the masons’ primary representative, norman gassette, died during its construction.
rare image of burnham & root’s masonic temple taken by acme on may 1, 1939. according to the article accompanying the print, the building was slated for demolition when engineers determined that its “floating foundation of wood piles would have to be replaced by cassions when the new subway is dug.”
the ornamental iron was designed by john root and executed by the winslow brothers. the article states it was “hand wrought.” i cannot recall if my period winslow catalogs mention this. burnam and root’s kansas city board of trade (also demolished) was adorned with both cast and wrought iron.
with the exception of a few doorknobs and elevator indicators, both interior and/or exterior ornament went to the landfill.
note: the following images represent only a fraction of lithographs found in this historically important and profusely illustrated masonic temple saddle stitch dedication booklet.
