Temple of the Knights of Pythias

The Pythian Temple on Broadway is one of those buildings I’ve always wondered about, but have never entered.  I’ve looked up its history before using the Tacoma Public Library’s website.  The building was designed by Frederick Heath – a relatively prolific architect in Tacoma at the beginning of the 20th century.  There are multiple newspaper stories documenting the building of the temple and its amenities.  Then there are the other headlines I don’t quite get… or made me laugh: “Pacific Coast Whist players will Gather”.  “Temple dining room has cup collection”. The latest story comes from C.R. Roberts in today’s News Tribune and it offers us a glimpse into the building, sprinkles a bit of history into it, and gives us some hope.

Today, a group of new members say they want to repair the structure and offer its beauty and history to more eyes.

Next month, on the centenary of the laying of the cornerstone, the Pythians will give tours of the lodge as they open a yearlong fundraising drive. They intend to repair water damage and fix the nicks, chips and cracking plaster.

They intend to reopen a trio of meeting hall skylights covered during World War II. They’ll clean the lichen that has claimed sections of the Tenino sandstone face above Broadway.

And they intend to share their space with Tacoma.

It sounds good to me.

Link with a few photos at The News Tribune