The Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania dedicated its second home, located on Chestnut Street in Philadelphia, in 1809. A magnificent building for its time, the Philadelphia Masonic Hall was one of that city's landmarks until March 9, 1819. On that evening, as Washington Lodge 59 was meeting there, a chimney fire swept through the building, completely destroying it. No one was hurt, and Lodge members saved some property by carrying it out of the building, but much was lost as the fire erupted into what was described as "a great conflagration." Reports say the inferno became so intense it was visible in New Castle, Delaware, 32 miles away. A letter from Rebecca Gratz (1781-1869), who lived next door, describes the incident in detail. In it, she makes it clear the building might have been saved but for the fact that the volunteer firemen who came to fight the fire were drunk! As the evening progressed and it became clear the Masonic Hall was lost and Ms. Gratz' house was safe, the evening became almost festive as Ms. Gratz added fuel to the fire — pun intended — by serving alcoholic beverages to the fire fighters.
