(by Ross Eric Gibson, Santa Cruz Sentinel, November 19, 2023)
In 1887 a mysterious castle-like building was constructed on Pacific Avenue, at the head of Walnut Street. The building’s architect was the popular Charles Wellington Davis, who had designed Santa Cruz landmarks like Knight’s Opera House and F.A. Hihn’s Mansion (which would became City Hall). But in this bizarre castle, Davis was guided by Dr. Oscar L. Gordon, grand master of the Santa Cruz Masonic Lodge in 1885-1886, and now grand architect pro tem. Gordon laid out the interior spaces and encoded Masonic history in the building’s facade. The style was termed “Crusader Gothic.” It was topped with a central “watch tower,” behind two onion-shaped headers, with two Islamic-style bay windows on the second floor.
On Saturday, March 26, 1887, Masons gathered at the narrow-gauge depot on Union Street, to greet visiting Masons and Knights from Watsonville, Gilroy, Hollister, San Jose, Salinas, Monterey, and other places. They formed a parade, led by
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