On certain public buildings, often near the entrance, you may have noticed a stone marker bearing the name of the building, date, and the masonic square and compass symbol. That stone is called the “Cornerstone” and is symbolic of the first foundational stone laid for a building in the northeast corner. The importance around the laying of a cornerstone cannot be understated. These stones were plumbed, squared, and leveled, or “tried”, by the builder and his tools to ensure it was perfectly set and of perfect design. Without ensuring a perfect starting point, each subsequent stone will be misaligned and the building or temple will suffer this imbalance throughout its life. Much is the same symbolically for a community, and the people of it.
The ceremonial setting of a cornerstone dates back to at least the 13th Century in Scotland. Here in the United States the Masonic ceremony has launched the construction of many great public buildings including The U.S. Capitol in 1973 (presided over by W. Bro. George Washington (below), the Independence Hall in Philadelphia by Grand Master Benjamin Franklin, the Statue of Liberty, The White House, Smithsonian, the Colorado State Capitol, and countless others throughout our history. They can only be installed at public buildings or structures of value to that community such as hospitals, schools, churches, government buildings, and libraries to name a few.
Sometimes a time capsule is placed behind the cornerstone with memorabilia pertinent to that building or community at the time. The oldest known time capsule laid in the United States dates to July 4, 1795 in the Massachusetts State House in Boston. The ceremony was presided over by none other than Bro. Paul Revere and Bro. Samuel Adams; then Governor of the state! Here in Douglas County the oldest recorded cornerstone ceremony and time capsule occurred on Saturday June 3, 1911 for the first Douglas County High School. Thirty Masons marched along with the Castle Rock Band from the First National Bank building at Third and Wilcox a few blocks north to the construction site. This was a historic event, not only for the community but for the state of Colorado. The Honorable Cole Briscoe was in attendance. He was the legislator that introduced the measure enabling the establishment of the County High School model and system in Colorado! It all started right here in Castle Rock!
The symbolism of the cornerstone ceremony is profound and important. It marks a building as more than just bricks and mortar but as a living testament and contribution towards those things that enrich a community; education, worship, civic life, and public service. In the ceremony, citizens are nit just observers. They are encouraged to join us in the application of mortar to the stone with the ceremonial trowel to spread the ideals of liberty, charity, and moral uprightness through mutual respect and understanding. These institutions are an essential part in building a just and virtuous community.
There are dozens of masonic cornerstones throughout Castle Rock, Douglas County, and countless communities across this great Nation. Not all are placed on the northeast corner these days but they should be visible at an entrance. The Masonic Cornerstone Ceremony is one of the few of our order done in public. If you would like to attend and participate in one of these beautiful ceremonies, keep watch on our website for the next local event. We would love to see you there!
Cornerstone ceremony at the Philip and Jerry Miller Public Library
