22 Main St. - Tryon-Sanford Building

The original building that stood on this site was built sometime shortly after 1850 when the land was purchased by Franklin A. Tryon. Tryon and partner Truman Sanford established Unionville’s earliest general store in the building. The first floor contains Tryon & Sanford General Store, and the upper floors were known as Tryon-Sanford Hall. Tyron lived at 100 Main St. and Sanford at 110 Main St. at the time. In 1874, the building was destroyed by fire and rebuilt as the structure currently on the property today.

Evening Star Lodge No. 101 can trace its history back to the late 1700’s and the origins of Frederick Lodge, Farmington chartered by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts Bay. It’s founding members went on to establish the Grand Lodge of the State of Connecticut in 1789, of which Bro. Pierpont Edwards was elected the first Grand Master, and Bro. William Judd of Frederick Lodge was elected Deputy Grand Master. Due to anti-masonic sentiment in the mid-1800s many lodges disbanded, including Frederick Lodge. It is from this that Evening Star Lodge is believed to be born. Evening Star Lodge No. 101 was chartered and dedicated on October 10, 1867 at its present location, 22 Main Street, Unionville, CT.

The fourteen charter members were influential figures in the history of Farmington and Unionville. Seven of the fourteen were members of the original Frederick Lodge, Farmington. Among the charter members were Carlos L. Mason, Andrew S. Upson, and Samuel Q. Porter, all well known for manufacturing in the Unionville area. It is known that the lodge gained its name from the home lodge of the first Worshipful Master, Brother Robert. M. Wilson who hailed from Evening Star Lodge, Lee MA.

Despite a devastating fire at 22 Main St. in 1874, Evening Star Lodge remained active and strong, meeting at Merriman Hall (20 South Main St. Unionville). In 1891, the Unionville Masonic Association was formed. According to the minutes, in 1894, the UMA decided to acquire land for its own building which it did at a site bordered by Farmington Ave to the North and Water St. to the South. (area currently occupied by Stop & Shop). However, a building was not built and the land was subsequently sold. The building at 22 Main St. was purchased in 1906 by the Unionville Masonic Association and the new lodge was dedicated on December 11, 1907.

The first floor of the building has been occupied by many tenants including the opening of the The United States Post Office (1918-1957), the Plainville Bank & Trust (1960-1970), and most recently Claudette’s Clippins. The second floor housed the office of Dr. Edward P. Dunne. Both upper floors are the Masonic Hall today.