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Masons, c.1950s 1

Good Hope Masonic Lodge Hall is a building at 606-612 - 55th Street near Shattuck, built c.1927. It was also called Fortitude Lodge, Bjornson Hall (not to be confused with the Sons of Norway Bjornson Hall where the Sons of Norway moved in 1957) and Good Hope Temple, #29 F&AM. c.2020, it was converted into apartments. Various groups met there even when it was a Masonic temple, including the I.O.O.F.

The earliest mention of the address as a hall is 1927 for an I.O.O.F. event, and simply refers to it as "Masonic hall" at 610 - 55th Street. 3 The first mention of Fortitude Lodge comes a few months later. The first reference as Bjornson Hall comes in 1951. Good Hope Lodge of the Prince Hall Masons purchased the building in 1957. 4

The 1950 Sanborn shows it as 3 commercial spaces on the ground floor, and the meeting hall on the 2nd floor.

A fire in 1948 damaged 2 of the businesses, Baker Dance Studio (612, upstairs) and the Cottage Venetian Blind Company (610). 5 The 1967 directory lists Chisom Decorating Service (606), De Luxe Barber Shop (608), and Good Hope Lodge (610, 612). 2

Links and References

  1. MS026_B13_1384 Towns (Royal E.) Papers, African American Museum and Library at Oakland
  2. Polk's Oakland 1969
  3. What Is Doing Tonight Oakland Tribune September 28, 1927
  4. Good Hope Lodge to Dedicate Newly-Purchased Building Oakland Tribune May 31, 1957
  5. Two Firms Damaged By Early Hour Fire Oakland Tribune January 31, 1948
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