So Much History Lost After Devastating Fire Destroys Much Of Beloved Masonic Lodge In Greenville, Maine

A building that has sat at 281 Pritham Avenue in Greenville since the late 1920s suffered major damage in a fire that broke out early Monday morning, sources say.

The Moosehead Lakeshore Journal has been following the story since the fire broke out. They say firefighters fought hard to extinguish the flames consuming the Columbia-Doric Masonic Lodge for most of Monday morning. While they did their best to save the structure, what remains are only a handful of charred items, as the building was a total loss.

Read More: Maine Fires in 3 Towns Kill 1 Person, Injure 2 Others

"The Columbia-Doric Masonic Lodge, built by Arthur Crafts and gifted to the Lodge in 1929, was dedicated on June 21st of that year. Early this morning, a fire began at the historic building between 1 and 2 a.m., leaving it severely damaged. "

Emergency crews with the volunteer-based Greenville Firefighters Association had fire equipment running across areas of Pritham Ave for hours, resulting in detours around the area for a good part of the morning.

A handful of historic artifacts, charred from the fire, were retrieved.

Not only was the building used for Masonic meetings, but it also served as a space for special community gatherings like funerals and public dinners.

No one was injured during the response to the fire.

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The community is reacting to the news, as this building has been the site of so many milestones over the last century.

The Shaw Public Library in Greenville spoke of the legacy it leaves behind for folks in the Moosehead Lake region.

"The devastating loss of the Greenville Masonic Lodge will weigh heavily for a long time to come. And it's an important reminder just how precious our older buildings are... not just in how they can serve us, but of all the things they have done for us over so many years and generations gone by. The Lodge was part of the memories that shaped this town, and the loss will be felt by many."

The Library, which is set to celebrate its 100th Anniversary Tuesday evening, is inviting community members to share their stories of the library, the lodge, or any of Greenville's other historic buildings at a gathering from 10 AM to 5 PM tomorrow. The historic buildings presentation will take place around 1 PM, we're told.

There's no word yet on what might have caused the fire.

The Colombia-Doric Lodge #0149 Masons were set to have their monthly meeting on Tuesday, December 16th.