Masonic Temple Building

Illinois, United States

Exterior only

Visible from the street; the inside is private.

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The Masonic Temple Building, a three-story Prairie School structure completed between 1906 and 1909 in Oak Park, Illinois, stands at the corner of Oak Park Avenue and Lake Street. Designed by E. E. Roberts for C. B. Scoville, it is one of only a few commercial buildings executed in the Prairie School style. The ground floor features iron and glass storefronts for retail use, separated by a limestone course from upper stories of brick. Architectural highlights include an oak staircase, leaded art-glass windows, and marble wainscoting in the lobby. A fourth story was added in 1914. Originally housing Masonic lodges, the building later served as Gilmore's Department Store from 1930 until the 1970s. After the village of Oak Park acquired it to prevent demolition, restoration work removed an applied black glass facade. Now called Scoville Square Building, it contains retail and office spaces and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.