Austin Masonic and Odd Fellows Hall

The Austin Masonic and Odd Fellows Hall, located in Austin, Nevada, was built in 1867-68 to provide meeting space for several fraternal organizations. The two-story brick building has notable original or early features such as a patented cable-supported dance floor, early lodge furniture, grained dressing room closets, a ground-floor store with a cloth ceiling, and evidence of a patented gas light ventilation system and iron storefront security doors. In addition to the important role the building played in Austin's social life, it also contained a dance hall and, in 1871, a roller skating rink. The building remains in use by one of its original occupants, Lander Lodge No. 8 F&AM, and also by Nevada's oldest functioning chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star (Electa No. 2).