Fraternal Hall Building, Palo Alto
historic place
In Palo Alto, within Santa Clara County, stands the Fraternal Hall Building. This historic place was constructed in 1898. It was built for the Fraternal Hall Association, whose founding members included the Knights of Pythias and Freemasons. San Francisco architect Samuel Newsom designed the building, with M.P. Madison as the builder. The building features a Renaissance architectural style, with Spanish baroque overtones. In 1925, the association sold the building, and the second floor became home to the Elks Club. The structure underwent restoration in 1983 by Charles Keenan. The Fraternal Hall Building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on February 15, 1990. This building is significant for its architecture and its role in the social history of Palo Alto.