To see the 175^th Anniversary Celebration in 4K video, simply click on the YouTube link: https://youtu.be/hGWHv_rQjpo

HISTORY OF SOLOMON LODGE No. 20 F&AM

On January 10, 1849, a charter was issued by the Grand Lodge of South Carolina to Solomon Lodge Number 20. The three principal officers entrusted with the charter and the early beginnings of Masonry in Northeast Florida were: James W. Bryant as Worshipful Master, Charles W. Downing as Senior Warden, and Phillip Cox as Junior Warden. The Charter Members were Thomas Douglas, Gregory Yale, C. M. Cooper, J. Coffee, J. S. Sammis, H. D. Holland, A. A. Canova, and W. Lance. Today, Solomon is the oldest Masonic lodge in Jacksonville and one of the four oldest lodges in the state of Florida

Outside of a list of Past Masters there is limited information about Solomon Lodge #20 from January 1849 up to 1890.  Research is ongoing and will be updated as it is known.

In 1890 the Lodge was located at what was known as the Mohawk Block.  Today this is East Bay and Market Streets.  On May 18,1891 at 11:30PM there was a fire that destroyed the building and all the history and artifacts from Solomon Lodge.

After the fire of 1891 Solomon Lodge moved to the Knights of Honor building later renamed Masonic Hall located in the Reed Block at 81/2 W. Bay Street (where the  Wells Fargo Bank Building stands on the corner W. Bay and Main Street). 

On May 22,1893 Solomon again moved to the Masonic Temple located on Ocean and Market Street (what is now the parking lot of the Grand Lodge of Florida). 

From 1893 until 1941 Solomon Lodge was housed in the Masonic Temple occupied by Temple Lodge and the Grand Lodge of Florida.  An agreement was made between Solomon and Temple Lodges to share the Masonic Temple with the Grand Lodge of Florida until the Grand Lodge property was paid off. Once our obligation was satisfied Solomon Lodge moved to 25 East 1^st Street.The Masonic Temple building was demolished in 1963 and replaced with the current Grand Lodge of Florida building.

MASONIC TEMPLE 1893

On March 10, 1941, Solomon Lodge purchased the Barnett Mansion for the sum of $12.000.00 located at 25 East 1st Street. The mansion was a beautiful two-story building with craftsmanship rarely seen unless in the more well to do homes of the times. The Barnett home is registered as a historic building and is in the Springfield Historic District. The home is an important part of the history of Jacksonville and the home for Solomon Lodge No. 20.  The Mansion is also the home of the Barnett Museum and Preservation Society dedicated to preserving the past and ensuring the future. 

On December 10, 1941, Solomon Lodge held an open house and on December 18^th of that same year Solomon Lodge held its first stated communication meeting. 

Solomon has long been a vibrant and active lodge and was very active in the community. In 1885 Solomon Lodge No. 20 and Duval Lodge No. 18 (now defunct) laid the cornerstone for the second County Courthouse located on the corner of Forsyth and Market Streets.  This courthouse was destroyed in the Great Fire, May 3, 1901. 

In 1903 a new third courthouse was constructed and located at 231 E. Forsyth (also on corner of Forsyth and Market Streets). 

In 1958 Solomon Lodge No. 20 laid the cornerstone in what was then the new courthouse on Bay Street.  

Following tradition in 2012 Solomon Lodge No. 20 along with the Grand Lodge of Florida P.H.A placed a marble time capsule marker in the lobby of the new fifth courthouse.  During the dedication the time capsule from the 1958 courthouse was opened and items of the day placed on display.

One notable member of Solomon Lodge was the beloved actor Oliver Hardy.  When the early film industry was booming during the silent movie era, Oliver Hardy was one of the legendary comedic movie stars of motion pictures. He was the larger half of the famous team “Laurel and Hardy” that brought laughs to so many early film fans. Mr. Hardy was a member and while he lived in town regularly attended meetings of Solomon Lodge No. 20 in Jacksonville, Florida. The duo appeared in more than 100 films, shorts, and cameo roles. Hardy’s first credit was in the 1914 film Outwitting Dad and he has more than 400 acting credits to his name. Hardy was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960.

Another notable member of Solomon Lodge #20 was William Henry Sebring.  For 83 years, the remains of William H. Sebring have been in an unmarked grave in the Masonic section of Evergreen Cemetery.  Not a very fitting memorial for a man who served as mayor of Jacksonville from 1907 to 1909. So members of the Solomon Masonic lodge paid $600 for Sebring’s 300-pound-plus headstone to be made of South Carolina white marble.

Thanks to the efforts of members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans’ Kirby-Smith Camp No. 1209, which Sebring once commanded, and Solomon Lodge No. 20 of the Free and Accepted Masons, of which he was a member, a headstone honoring his service not only as mayor but as a Confederate soldier was dedicated in a ceremony.

While serving as the city’s mayor, Sebring worked to make Jacksonville the park city of the South, extend the lighting service and pave roads.  Sebring also called for the tall buildings to include standpipes for fire protection; asked the local operator of the trolley car system to install a number of parlor cars for use during tourist season.

WILLIAM D. BARNETT MANSION

SOLOMON LODGE No. 20

25 EAST FIRST STREET

Built                             1899 – 1901

Architect:                    Leon Beaver – Knoxville, Tenn.

Builder:                       Unknown

Commissioned by:               William D. Barnett

Gross Area:                 11,587 SQ ‘

Heated Area:                      6,662 SQ ‘

Exterior Wall:                  Face Brick

Interior Walls:                 Plastered

Flooring:                          Hardwood

Lighting:                              Electric / Gas

Heating:                              Gas / Wood

Interior Woodwork:         Burl Maple (not confirmed)

Building Cost:                    $328,000.00

Inflation Calculator:         $9,321,565.00 (2020)

Construction of the home was started in 1899 and completed in 1901.   The architect was Leon Beaver from Knoxville, Tennessee.  The home has a gross area of 11,587 square feet, hard wood floors, and lighted by both electricity and gas.  With the exception of the partial closing of the side veranda and Lodge room, the building remains relatively unchanged.   In addition, much of the original interior furniture and artwork remains.  The Barnett family owned the home until 1941 when it was purchased by Solomon Lodge #20 F&AM, the oldest Masonic organization in Jacksonville, founded in 1849.  William Boyd and sons William D. and Bion H. Barnett were all Masons.

The home was commissioned by William Barnett’s eldest son, William (Will) D. Barnett and was his home.  The home was completed in early 1901.  On May 3, 1901, The Great Fire burned much of downtown Jacksonville.  It is said the family watched the city burn from the second story balcony.  The fire stopped just 2 blocks south of the Mansion at Hogan’s Creek.  The National Bank of Jacksonville (renamed Barnett Bank) was the only bank in Jacksonville standing   After William Boyd’s wife, Sarah Jane Blue, died on April 8, 1901, he moved into this home with his son. William Boyd Barnett spent little time in this home as he died October 21, 1903, two years after moving in. 

History Page Updated and Submitted 01/28/2022–Brother James A Krahn, Solomon Historian 2022