By Wesley Harris
Claiborne Parish Library Historian
The Masonic Lodge in Homer has been included in the 2024 list of “Louisiana’s Most Endangered Places.”
The list prepared by the Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation is intended to bring attention to these endangered historic places to advocate for their preservation and protection. The Trust has compiled the annual list since 1999.
Listing these resources acknowledges their importance to Louisiana’s history and culture and draws attention to the forces affecting these and similar historic sites statewide. The list is generated from nominations made by the public and aims to attract creative approaches and resources to see the sites saved and rehabilitated.
Homer Lodge No. 152 was chartered in 1858 and played an important role in the development of the community. The lodge owned and operated colleges in Homer which dramatically improved the level of education and offered opportunities for young men and women in the late 1800s. The current lodge location was built in the 1870s as a two-story commercial building.
The Masons moved into the building in 1922 after a third floor was added as a lodge room. The first floor has been occupied over the years by a general store, the parish library, various restaurants, and retail establishments. The second floor was rented out for many years to professional offices such as dentists and attorneys. Today, the second floor is used as individual studios for local artists.
The building is in need of major roof, structural, and elevator repairs to remain a usable, viable part of Homer’s Main Street District.
Addition to the list does not include monetary assistance but is intended to bring attention to deteriorating or threatened buildings in hopes of obtaining preservation help.
The 2020 list included two structures in Homer—the Pan Am Petroleum Filling Station on West Main Street and the Homer Community Center (American Legion Hut) on Edgewood Drive.
The Homer Community Center was built in the mid-1930s by the Works Progress Administration It features the popular “National Park Service Rustic” architectural style which used natural materials found throughout the surrounding area. Owned by the town of Homer, it is slowly deteriorating.
The Pan Am Petroleum Station was constructed in 1922 and later adapted for a mix of uses, ranging from a dry-cleaning business to a popular burger joint. It has remained vacant since 1995. One of seven gas stations built in Homer during the early 20th century, it remains as the sole survivor of the era. It is currently undergoing restoration.
“Historic buildings and sites are the fingerprints of our communities, and it takes creative measures to preserve and protect them for future generations,” says Brian Davis, Executive Director of the Louisiana Trust. “Strategic partnerships, tax credits and programs like LTHP’s revolving fund can save buildings many people may consider too far gone.”
Library Director Pam Suggs said the library plays a role in preserving local history in a variety of ways, including preserving documents, hosting a history club, researching the past, publishing articles and books, and nominating properties to the endangered places list.
“Calling attention to historic buildings like the Masonic Lodge is one small way we can bring attention to the need to preserve our past for future generations,” Suggs said. “We have interesting buildings and homes in Claiborne Parish that, if preserved, could attract others to our community.”
For more information, visit the Trust’s website at http://www.lthp.org.