The River Falls Lodge No. 109 of the Free and Accepted Masons was organized September 22, 1859. Its charter was issued by the Grand Lodge of the State of Wisconsin, June 15, 1859. The charter of the River Falls Chapter No. 45 of the Royal Arch Masons was granted February 28, 1874. The Lodge represents the first three degrees and the Chapter the second four degrees of the York Rite of Masonry. Although at different levels in Masonry, many of their members were active at both levels and their meeting locations appear to have been the same. Throughout the first seventy years of its existence, the Lodge held its meetings in a variety of locations in River Falls. Many were halls associated with business establishments. In 1879 a fire occurred in the Saunders Building where the Lodge was then meeting. Most of the records were destroyed including all the minutes prior to May 1, 1877.
From 1896 to 1908 the Lodge experienced a period of rapid growth. All debts were paid off and the membership lists grew. In 1908 the brethren moved into a hall where they met until 1929. On December 16, 1919 a committee was appointed to select a site for the construction of a permanent temple. A campaign was initiated in 1926 to raise the $19,750 necessary for the purchase of land and for the construction of the temple. Construction began August 5, 1928 and the dedication was held September 30, 1929. All the funds were raised by individual cash donations of the brethren, and the total cost of the temple was paid off in 1943.
