Knights of Pythias

224 West Jefferson

  • Date: 1922
  • Style: Classical Revival
  • Architect: Schnieder and Shambleau
  • District: Downtown Historic Registry

Built in 1922, the Knights of Pythias Building was designed by W.W. Schneider and N. Roy Shambleau, prominent local architects. Upon its completion, the South Bend Knights of Pithias Building was reportedly the largest lodge building in the "supreme domain", as well as the largest lodge building in South Bend. The Crusade Lodge actually only occupied the upper two floors, leasing the first five floors as office space. Among the tenants of the lower floors were the District Prohibition Office and the Federal Court. In 1935, the Lincoln National Life Insurance Company foreclosed on a $120,000 bond and remained owners of the building until 1943. The Knights of Pythias Building is an excellent example of a blend of Chicago School structure with classical revival elements. The tripartite construction of base, shaft, and capital is easily distinguished. The first floor, or base, is of terra-cotta blocks with large display windows; the middle five floors, or shaft, is simple with few details; and the seventh floor, or capital, of the building is much more elaborate, with the use of terra-cotta trim and applied forms. The only change to the exterior of the building is the replacement of all the original window frames with aluminum (except for the seventh floor windows, which are original). The majority of the original interior features are gone due to various renovations over the years.

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224 West Jefferson

Image credit: Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend and St. Joseph County

Image credit: Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend and St. Joseph County