Always one of Fullerton's official landmark buildings, Spring Field Banquet and Conference Center (former Masonic Temple) at the northwest corner of Chapman Avenue and Harbor Boulevard was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on March 31, 1995. This eclectic Spanish Colonial Revival building has been utilized and admired by the community since its construction in 1919-1920, and with the rehabilitation and earthquake codes upgrading that was done in 1994-1995, the facility will continue to benefit Fullerton into the 21st century.
The building was designed by local builder and architect Frank Benchley. Charles C. Chapman, Fullerton's first Mayor and the "father of the Valencia orange industry," was instrumental in seeing this project through, as were Willie Hale, prominent business man and Mayor (1930-1936), and C. Stanley Chapman (son of Charles C. Chapman), a successful business man and a very high ranking Mason. Construction began in November of 1919 and was completed the following fall. Boastful excerpts from the Fullerton Daily News Tribune (July 23, 1920, page 1) include:
When completed..... Fullerton Masons will have the most magnificent Masonic Temple, not only in California, but the entire west,......On the second floor proper, is the lodge room which defies description....... One of the important features of the lodge room is a balcony which seats 200 persons... Adjoining the lodge room on the north is a roof garden with a pergola which will be covered with vines and is no small feature of the handsome structure.One the ground floor is the largest banquet room in the city, it seating 330 persons. Adjoining the banquet room on the north is the kitchen which would do credit to the Aledandria hotel.All of Fullerton can also feel well proud of this structure which would be considered magnificent in a city ten times the size of Fullerton.
One thousand people attended the dedication held on December 8, 1920, and "They were impressed with the beauty of the new structure" (Fullerton Daily News Tribune, December 9, 1920, page 1). Contributing to the building's beauty are Batchelder "Arts and Crafts" tiles that grace the front entry and embellish the tea room's (the former cardroom's) fireplace of Spring Tea Garden. From 1909 to 1932, Batchelder produced hand made ceramic tiles that were sought throughout the west, and they are highly regarded today. Fullerton's Muckenthaler Center also contains Bathelder tiles. The bulding was used by the Fullerton lodges until 1993, after which time they began meeting in Anaheim.
Rehabilitation of the building by the new owners, returned many spaces to their former beauty while upgrading them for modern use. This charming turn of the century building offers a majestic way lined with Batchelderarts and crafts tiles. This exquisite building also provides a split floor arrangement that offers privacy for each party. The first floor features the Carnation Hall with a beautiful terrazzo floor. The second floor features the main entrance and a fireplace decorated with the Batchelder art tiles. The main Rose Ballroom is a large rectangular room decorated with baroque style wall moldings with gold colored crown moldings and a partially domed 24 foot high ceiling with mezzanine and indoor terrace.
