YOUR AD HERE »

Rifle Masonic Lodge seeks restoration

Alex Zorn
  

Rifle Masonic Lodge secretary Jim Gerloff, left, and treasurer Ron Roesener stand in front of the lodge.
Alex Zorn / Post Independent |

One of Rifle’s oldest buildings is looking to the state to fund a massive restoration. Rifle Masonic Lodge treasurer Ron Roesener hopes to receive the Historical Colorado competitive grant for up to $200,000. Located on Railroad Avenue just north of downtown, the Rifle Masonic Lodge is one of two buildings in Rifle to receive a historic designation, a criterion to receive the grant. The other historic building is the post office.

The building has already been approved for the Historic Structure Assessment for up to $15,000. Roesener said that an architect and constructional engineer have been hired to determine exactly what it will take to restore the building.

“We have kept up as much as we could,” he said.



History Colorado Preservation Communications Manager Jonathan Raab said that the assessment is the first step in evaluating a historic resource and developing plans for further preservation work.

He said the Historical Structure Assessment will identify whatever critical work is needed in restoring the lodge. Once the assessment is completed, Roesener will need to apply for the competitive grant for the preservation project it identified.

Raab said the assessment will be done in January at the earliest.

The Rifle Masonic Lodge at one time had more than 300 members. Now that number is 29, according to secretary Jim Gerloff.

Editor’s note: This article was updated on Nov. 27.


Support Local Journalism

Support Local Journalism

Readers around Glenwood Springs and Garfield County make the Post Independent’s work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.

Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.

Each donation will be used exclusively for the development and creation of increased news coverage.