For the next decade, the campus was without a Masonic lodge entirely, culminating in the demolition of the original temple in 1986. That same year, though, an ambitious new construction plan for the Masonic Homes brought the old temple back to life—sort of. As part of a $16 million development that included the construction of the 120-bed skilled-nursing facility named for benefactor Hugo Lorber, plans included building a new Masonic lodge room, to be housed alongside the campus chapel. Ground was broken on the project in 1987, and the new Siminoff Center, comprising the lodge room, foyer, and chapel, was dedicated by grand lodge officers on May 7, 1989.

The new facility was built from scratch, but designers went to lengths to include elements of the original Siminoff Temple in its design. Bricks from the 1903 temple were salvaged to construct the face of the new building, while the original altar was repurposed and reconditioned. Even the elaborate gas-powered chandelier that had once hung in the temple’s entryway was refurbished and made electric. It now hangs above the lodge room.

However, the design flourish that commands the most attention is the expansive set of stained-glass windows. Each of the 56 panels, measuring 4 by 4.5 feet, was fabricated by Judson Studios, the oldest family-run stained-glass maker in the country, and depict Masonic symbols including the square, plumb, and anchor. In addition to being so near the Masonic Homes’ chapel room, the colored windows lend the lodge room a special feeling of reverence.

Despite having a brand-new space available, it wasn’t until 2006 that the first seeds of a permanent lodge finally began to flower. That year, a degree team comprised of Masonic Homes residents began meeting and practicing on campus. The team per- formed for several lodges in the Bay Area, “contributing where we could and sharing our expertise,” according to Bobby Joe McCain, one of the original members of the group.

Recognizing an opportunity to make real a dream that at that point had been 103 years in the making, the Grand Lodge in 2006 issued a dispensation to Siminoff Daylight U.D., and on October 6, 2007, the lodge received its formal charter—the day before ground was broken at the neighboring Acacia Creek Retirement Community.

In the 15 years since, the lodge has grown from an initial group of 67 to a lodge of 105 members today, including master Joseph Pritchard, who is also the chief operating officer of the Masonic Homes. The lodge isn’t just for residents, either: Just over 40 percent of the members now live off campus. And another dozen members are residents of Acacia Creek who had not previously been Masons—meaning the lodge has more than a few 50-year veterans, as well as several newbies. For many of those members, it’s the lodge building itself that inspired their initial curiosity about Freemasonry. Says McCain, “I think we have a very impressive-looking lodge room. It’s quite a draw.”

McCain points for emphasis to the pair of hand- painted murals by John Dahle Jr., a member of the lodge and Masonic Homes resident who has worked for years as a commercial artist. The murals on the north and south walls depict scenes from the build- ing of King Solomon’s temple and feature old west typography, echoing the large mural he painted several years ago in his home lodge, Nevada № 13. “They’re gorgeous,” McCain says of the twin artworks. “They both incorporate a lot of the teachings of Freemasonry. They’re more than just a piece of artwork in the building.”

To Adamson, who as a member of the Masonic Homes board visits the Siminoff lodge often, the space still holds a special place in his heart. “It’s a beautiful complex,” he says. “But it’s not just that. It’s really an experience. It’s an experience to go and see the history that’s there.”