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Masonic Temple Building
Photo: Ari B. Adler, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons · tap to enlarge
National Register of Historic Places

Masonic Temple Building

Also known as Thomas A. Cooley Law School

On the National Register since 198046 years
Neo-Classical RevivalListed 1980Lansing
DirectionsAdd an old photo

Many listed buildings are private homes. Please enjoy them from the street.

About

About Masonic Temple Building

Masonic Temple Building, at 217 S. Capitol Ave., was added to the National Register of Historic Places on Sep 17, 1980. It was among the first 12 of Lansing’s 35 listings, with seven others the same day. The Register lists it for its architecture, at the local level. It describes its style as Neo-Classical Revival, as it does for 11 other Michigan listings. It was listed as part of Downtown Lansing MRA. 12 more Register listings are within a quarter mile.

What it isBuilding in Lansing, Michigan. From Wikidata (CC0). Read about it on Wikipedia ↗

PDFRead the original nominationThe form that put it on the Register, with its history, photos and a map · 1 MB · National Archives↗
Through the years

1924 to today

  1. 1924Built, designed by Bowd–Munson Company
  2. 1980Added to the National Register of Historic Places
  3. 2026On the Register for 46 years
Visit

Make it a walk: 5 landmarks in about 10 minutes

217 S. Capitol Ave., Lansing · about 0.3 miles on foot, as the crow flies

DirectionsWalk the tour in Google Maps
  1. 1Masonic Temple BuildingStart here
  2. 2Knapp, J.W., Company BuildingArt Moderne · Built 1937 · next door
  3. 3Strand Theatre and ArcadeRenaissance Classical · next door
  4. 4Capital Bank TowerArt Deco · Built 1931 · 0.1 mi on
  5. 5Lansing Downtown Historic DistrictLate Victorian · next door
Around it

14 more Register listings within half a mile

★ National Historic Landmark · D district · B building · S site. Each opens its own page.

BFederal BuildingArt Deco · Built 19320.1 miBArbaugh's Department Store BuildingCommercial Style0.2 miBState Office BuildingClassical Revival0.2 mi★Michigan State CapitolAcademic-Classical0.2 miBLansing Woman's Club BuildingRichardson Romanesque0.2 miBMichigan Millers Mutual Fire Insurance Company BuildingLate Victorian · Built 18900.2 miBCentral Methodist Episcopal ChurchRichardson Romanesque0.2 miBMutual BuildingElizabethan · Built 19280.2 miBEmery HousesLate Victorian0.3 miBOttawa Street Power StationArt Deco · Built 19390.3 miBFirst Baptist ChurchRichardson Romanesque0.3 miBSt. Mary CathedralLate Gothic Revival0.3 miBBailey BuildingsBuilt 19220.4 miBUnion DepotTudor Revival · Built 19020.5 mi

Memories of Masonic Temple Building

The record says what it is. Neighbors know what it means.

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Questions about Masonic Temple Building

Is Masonic Temple Building on the National Register of Historic Places?

Yes. It was added on Sep 17, 1980 (Register number 80001868).

Is Masonic Temple Building a National Historic Landmark?

No. It is on the National Register; Michigan has 37 National Historic Landmarks. The nearest is Michigan State Capitol, 0.2 miles away.

Can you visit Masonic Temple Building?

Our record doesn’t say whether it is open to visitors. Many listed buildings are private, so it may only be seen from the street.

Where can I read the history of Masonic Temple Building?

In its National Register nomination, the form that put it on the Register: a 1 MB PDF at the National Archives, linked on this page.

Sources: National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places (05/22/2026) · National Archives catalog record 25337949 · Wikidata. Map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors.