Etoile Polaire

During the late 1800s and early 1900s, this Masonic hall was used for a variety of social events including dances, some of which featured ragtime and jazz musicians. The lodge was a prominent white Creole association that was established at this location in 1794. Among its members was W.C.C. Claiborne, who served as Louisiana's first governor. The first floor was used for public gatherings, while the second floor was reserved for private lodge functions. Rituals were performed in French until the 1950s, when the language was switched to English. The building is an impressive example of the Greek Revival style; it has three bays and two stories and was built around the year 1840. Both the building and the cast iron gate along Rampart Street, which was constructed in the 1880s, are decorated with Masonic symbols. Today, guests continue to stay at the lodge. The Lodge has a rich history that makes its interior shine with one-of-a-kind details that cannot be found in any other venue that is available for rental. This expansive and historically significant property was founded in 1794 and chartered by the Grand Lodge of Louisiana in 1812, the same year that the state of Louisiana was admitted to the Union. If the exterior space is used, the property can accommodate as many as 300 people.