Residents of Aurora, Illinois, got a rare glimpse into their city’s past on Saturday as a long-hidden, century-old time capsule was opened before an eager local crowd.
Inside were carefully preserved pieces of Masonic history, including a tube of blueprints, several small books and an assortment of documents. The collection featured Masonic bylaws, an 1884 temple manual, rules from another Aurora lodge, manuals from 1897 and 1922, and a Mason’s apron.
For Kevin Hoover, an Aurora Freemason and member of Jerusalem Temple Lodge 90, the discovery felt like more than luck. He described it as “fate,” noting that “there’s a certain amount of destiny that this was found and not destroyed. It was a strange chain of events that led to this.”
Hoover’s reaction was understandable. The capsule had endured not only the passing of more than a hundred years, but also a major fire and the demolition process that followed.
The historic capsule was uncovered in 2019, shortly before the Lincoln Masonic Temple at Benton and Lincoln streets was torn down in the aftermath of a destructive three-alarm blaze.
The Lincoln Masonic Temple was itself a notable piece of Aurora history. Its cornerstone was placed in 1921, with construction continuing into the early 1920s before the building was completed sometime between 1921 and 1924. Decades later, its architectural and historical significance earned it a spot on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
Now, more than a century after officials believe the time capsule was sealed, the contents of the long-forgotten container have finally come to light.
By late afternoon, shortly before 5 p.m., visitors were already gathering in the plaza outside downtown Aurora’s Grand Army of the Republic Military Museum, waiting to discover what earlier generations of Masons had left behind.
A century-old time capsule hidden inside a historic Masonic temple was finally opened on Saturday, revealing a remarkable collection of documents, blueprints and Masonic treasures that survived fire, demolition and the passage of time
John Laesch, Mayor of Aurora, Illinois detailed in a social media post on August 23, his finding of the capsule when he moved into the mayor’s office, tucked away in a utility closet
Laesch described contacting the historical society to make sure the unveiling was handled carefully
Additional items included Masonic aprons, original drawings of the Masonic temple and (pictured above) a stone from King Solomon’s quarry
The items have been the subject to mass attention due to their remarkably well preserved condition including a Beacon newspaper dated September 8,1922
Among them was Aurora resident Ruth Grams, who grew up in the city and remembered the sadness surrounding the temple’s destruction.
‘When it burned down it was pretty sad but I am curious,’ Grams said to the Chicago Tribune. ‘As far as what’s in it, I don’t know.’
City communications director Jon Zaghloul described the discovery to the outlet as a stroke of incredibly good fortune.
‘The discovery was made just before the building was torn down,’ he explained, noting that the capsule could easily have been lost forever.
For Zaghloul, its opening represented far more than an unusual historical curiosity.
‘I think it’s extraordinary,’ he said. ‘It’s pretty remarkable from an historical perspective to have on hand a 100-year-plus time capsule and then get to unveil it to the public.’
Aurora Historical Society Executive Director John Jaros agreed, describing such discoveries as exceptionally rare.
Jaros recalled witnessing only two comparable openings during his more than 40 years working in Aurora – including an 1877 time capsule opened during the city’s sesquicentennial celebration in 1987.
Tracy Duran, Vice President at Aurora Regional Fire Museum, took to social media following the event, praising the time capsule as ‘one of the best ones I have seen lately’. He added his favorite part was ‘seeing the fully intact blueprints for the original buildings rolled up in tissue paper and tied with two beautiful ribbons’
One of the many books and bylaws that was found in the capsule
Nearly 100 locals gathered downtown to watch as history was pried open before their eyes
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And then came the moment everyone had been waiting for.
Three people took turns wielding a hammer and chisel as they battled to pry open the capsule. It took at least 10 tense minutes before the lid finally surrendered.
Inside was an astonishing glimpse of Masonic life from generations ago.
Reams of paper appeared to have survived remarkably well, with Jaros noting that they ‘looked to be in pretty good shape.’
For Hoover, the remarkable haul was nothing short of extraordinary.
‘Over 100 years has passed and this has been encapsulated into our old Masonic lodge,’ Hoover said.
More than a dozen members of his lodge attended the unveiling, all eager to discover what had survived inside.
Hoover said the fact that the capsule was discovered before the temple was destroyed felt almost destined.
For Aurora resident Kyle Reeves, the documents offered a fascinating look at the city’s Masonic community in the early 20th century.
‘I thought it was interesting that there were so many different groups of Masons involved in doing their thing in Aurora at that time,’ he said.
