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The Masonic Lodge, circa 1797
Rockford’s Masonic hall was built around 1797 for the
Unanimity Lodge Number 34 of the Masonic Order. After a
new charter was granted in 1866, the lodge was renamed
Rockford Lodge Number 251. The wood-and-stone lodge has
been evaluated by the N.C. Department of Cultural
Resources and officials from the Grand Lodge of Ancient
Free and Accepted Masons of North Carolina. It is
believed to be the oldest Masonic hall in northwestern
North Carolina. Many of the most prominent members of
the Rockford community attended meetings in this
building. In 1848, the Baptist State Convention also was
held there. In the late 1800s, the W.P. Dobson & Company
mercantile business operated on the first floor. The
business was owned by Charles B. Davis, W.P. Dobson III
and G.M. Burrus.
In 1914, a 200-square-foot addition was built onto the
Masonic hall. That portion of the building served as
Rockford’s last U.S. Post Office between 1914 and 1975
and still has original counter window bars and mail
slots. The Masonic building, along with two adjacent
properties, were purchased by Evelyn Holyfield and her
brother, Robert Hardin Holyfield, in 1970. Following
their deaths, the Holyfield family on Dec. 31, 2001
donated all three properties to the Rockford
Preservation Society.
The preservation society still has the wooden stations
where officers sat during Masonic meetings, as well as a
photocopy of the 1799 Masonic apron worn by Marmaduke D.
Kimbrough. Recently, the secretary of the Copeland Lodge
gave the Rockford Preservation Society the Rockford
Lodge 1866 minute book.
The Site
Rockford’s Masonic Lodge is situated on 1.12 acres. It
is a two-story, Federal-style structure of about 1,600
square feet on a raised-stone cellar. The structure has
two open main floors with limited interior walls. To the
rear of the main floor is a small room.
The interior of the Masonic Lodge features simple
Georgian-Federal detailing, including paneled mantels,
six-panel doors, and some marbled woodwork. Among the
interior features are an enclosed staircase at the rear
of the structure, original flooring and a decoratively
painted interior door.
Recent Improvements
2002:
Broken upstairs windows were removed and the openings
were temporarily sealed.
2004:
A contractor, officials from the Grand Lodge of Ancient
Free and Accepted Masons of North Carolina, and a
restoration expert visited the lodge to provide
guidance.
2005:
Missing clapboard siding was replaced. The porch roof
was repaired, and the rock foundation on the north and
east sides of the building was replaced. A later chimney
that was not part of the original building was removed.
2006:
The siding on the Post Office annex of the lodge was
repaired and painted.
2007: Local Masons volunteered on two work days for
cleaning and painting on the building.
2009: Six front windows removed, restored and
reinstalled by Double Hung Windows.
2010: Front porch removed and new porch built with white
oak floor.
Masonic Lodge Development Plan
With funding from the RPS, the Masonic Lodge has been
stabilized but not restored. Significant renovations
 are
needed in order to bring this structure back to life.
The development plan for the building is based on
evaluations by the Restoration Branch of the N.C.
Division of Archives and History. The historical and
architectural qualities of the structure will be
maintained while installing electrical, plumbing and
HVAC systems that meet current standards and a
single-stall bathroom will be added. A septic system
will be installed at the rear of the property, and water
is available from an existing well on RPS-owned property
across the street. Additional improvements will include
replacement of the clapboard siding and some of the
windows, reconstruction of the front porch, as well as
needed insulation, caulking and painting. The property
has open space to the north of the building that can be
utilized for parking, events or general uses. Once
completed, the structure will house various historical
displays and will provide substantial open space,
facilities and administrative space for future
leaseholders to conduct business. The location of this
structure, generally in the center of the Rockford
Historic District, will provide a focal point for
visitors and for business interests.
The Cost
The Remember Rockford campaign will need to raise an
estimated $185,000 for the improvements to the
building.
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