Universal York

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York’s Old Post Office/Federal Building/Masonic Lodge (part five)

Gethsemane Hall on North Beaver Street
Gethsemane Hall on North Beaver Street

My past several posts have been on the old York Post Office at the corner of Philadelphia and Beaver streets in York. Since it is slated for renovation and reuse, I have been posting photos, mostly interior, that I took several years ago inside the building. Since it was in the hands of a non-profit organization, and non-profits are usually characterized by slim budgets, there have not been many structural changes, just some coats of paint here and there. That can be a very good thing when it comes to restoration.

The impressing brick building was designed by nationally-known architect, Willoughby J. Edbrooke, who was serving as United States Supervising Architect at the time. It was opened in 1895 as a “Federal Building,” as it housed both the Post Office and the Internal Revenue Service.

The building was sold to York’s Masonic Lodge in 1917, when the post office was moved to another impressive new building, this time at the corner of George and King streets.

Gethsemane Hall, a striking castle-like structure, was built in 1918 as a Masonic Temple. It has its own arched entrance fronting on Beaver Street, and it also opens into the old post office building. The photos below are of the Gethsemane Hall interior.

Beaver Street door from the inside
Beaver Street door from the inside

Interior entrance door
Interior entrance door

First floor of Gethsemane Hall, used as basketball court by youth center
First floor of Gethsemane Hall, used as basketball court by youth center

Gethsemane Hall second floor
Gethsemane Hall second floor

Second floor doors
Second floor doors

Second floor arched windows
Second floor arched windows

Second floor paneling detail
Second floor paneling detail

The links below will take you to the previous posts of photos of the building.

Old Post Office, part two.

Old Post Office, part three.

Old Post Office, part four.

This concludes my series on this landmark building. I am looking forward to seeing what the new owners do with it.