Uncover the dark secrets of this abandoned Masonic lodge

Explore this historic landmark if you dare

Nestled in a remote spot in Salem, Alabama, this eerie abandoned Masonic lodge has quite the story behind its walls. The historic landmark had fallen by the wayside for many years, becoming shrouded in secrecy and superstition.

While the home's exterior seems to have seen some refurbishments in recent years, let's take a look back at this historic home as it was and learn about its fascinating past.

Click or scroll to take a tour and uncover its story...

Lingering former lives

Built in 1838, this dilapidated three-bedroom home needed some serious TLC when these pictures were taken in 2019. When it was listed with realtor Renee Dykes for $50,000 (£39k), it had been abandoned for quite some time.

The building was once known as the Askew Hotel, but it had also been used as a school, an inn and a private residence, as well as a mysterious Masonic Lodge. And that's where our story begins...

Behind closed doors

Its eeriest incarnation by far, the dwelling was once the meeting place of the Freemasons, a fraternal organisation that traces back to the 17th century. It has secret passwords and rituals, with integrity, friendship, respect and service as its guiding principles. Famous Freemasons include Winston Churchill and Oscar Wilde.

Members ascend the ranks, from Apprentice to Journeyman and finally to Master Mason. A 'Lodge' is where each group holds meetings, events and initiation ceremonies for new recruits. These occasions were once shrouded in secrecy, so people would have been wondering what went on behind these grand double doors.

Real-life ghost town

If you'd stepped inside, you'd have been greeted by floor-to-ceiling wood panelling and a wide, imposing entrance hall. Located in Old Salem, Alabama (not to be confused with perhaps the better-known Salem, Massachusetts), which has a history dating back to 1835, it's no surprise that the home had an eerie feel about it.

A supernatural connection

The so-called Ghost Town Road that winds around the area has seen some sinister goings-on over the years.

According to several news reports and a sprinkling of urban legend, these range from church fires to murders in the 1960s, purportedly carried out by a satanic cult according to website alabamaghosthunters.com.

An ornate light fitting still hung as a memento of the home's long-past heyday.

Welcome to the Old Salem Inn

A creaky wooden staircase led up to the property’s three bedrooms. The property had most recently been known as the Old Salem Inn when these rooms were most likely rented out to weary travellers. Who knows how many tired feet have traipsed these floorboards!

Charming period details

The old house still had plenty of characterful details. This sturdy iron lock had a beautiful wooden door knob with a rich marbled grain. We can’t help but wonder why such a sizeable lock was necessary in such a small town – unless somebody was really intent on keeping someone (or something) out… 

Faded grandeur

Traces of the home's former lives still lingered. These crumbling yellow walls were no doubt once sunny and welcoming, providing a restful space for guests to relax by the fire and rest their feet after a long journey, or for Freemasons to gather before their ceremonial meetings.

Hallowed ground

A common historic definition of Freemasonry is: 'a system of morality, veiled in allegory (a story) and illustrated by symbols.' Men join in order to learn lessons that will teach them how to boost their moral and spiritual outlook.

Was this the room in which the Master Mason preached his doctrine?

Room for improvement

The building always had the potential to be turned into a charming country home. In the living room, this traditional fireplace with a rustic brick chimney breast makes a commanding focal point.

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Open up the shutters

The large window openings in this room are one of the home's best features, you can see the light just begging to break through. These big wooden shutters would have been essential in the hot summers for keeping the house cool.

Plenty of potential

While there was no kitchen in the old lodge, this whitewashed utility room could make a fantastic culinary space after an extensive overhaul.

With light spilling through the window and enough space to install a row of countertops, the home certainly had potential to be a real passion project for someone with vision.

A snug situation

This small outside toilet was in serious need of a refurb. While the room wasn't functional, at least there were some decorative qualities, with a nod to the spooky surroundings inscribed on the wall above the sink...

Dark folktales

Painted in faded ink, the inscription was a curious detail for an outside toilet.

While Salem isn't short of friendly locals, nightfall can bring a more sinister atmosphere for those who know the local legends. Many years ago, it's said that a body was dug up in a local cemetery and the skeletal remains were found scattered near Ghost Town Road.

Some townsfolks say it was the work of devil-worshippers who frequented the woods for years. Ghosts purportedly still roam the road...

Weathered charm

Despite the ghost stories, the owners in 2019 must have felt it was safe to refurbish their home. But they didn’t have the time to carry out the renovation works needed, deciding to sell up instead.

It's true that there weren't many home comforts, but there was a certain charm about the place, plus many attractive structural elements like these wide double doors connecting the living spaces on the ground floor.

High ceilings and timber finishes

Spread across 2,416 square foot (224sqm) of interior, there was plenty of space to play with.

In this room, another sizeable fireplace offered an attractive period detail, while dark wooden walls and a chandelier pendant indicated something of the home's former grandeur.

Spacious sleeping quarters

The sizeable bedrooms just needed a bit of refurbishment and some modern furniture in order to make this dusty old building feel like a home again. The chimney needed a good sweep in this room, otherwise there might be a few winged visitors...  

Primed for conversion

Like the rest of the house, the loft area needed some work to whip it into a habitable shape. This large space could have been transformed into a bedroom suite, another living room or even a playroom for children. 

Lighting the way

An original feature of the house, lovely large sash windows illuminate the roof space. It's not clear what this area was previously used for, and perhaps it's best not to wonder...

Potential for greatness

Steeped in history with big rooms and plenty of period charm, the abandoned property was the perfect location for those looking for peace and quiet, as only a few hundred people live in the area.

Although once a bustling area, a fire engulfed the town in 1854 and the subsequent Civil War collapsed the town's government. A rapid depopulation began that the town never truly recovered from.

Elegant entrance

These two feature windows that flank the imposing front entrance would have made a grand and welcoming first impression for visitors, perhaps impressing upon them the solemnity of a Masonic ritual, or welcoming them to the Old Salem Inn back in its glory days. 

Development prospects

As well as the house, the estate also includes the surrounding two acres, so the lot had plenty of potential for development.

In a former life, this old outhouse could have been used to store school or hotel supplies, but it would have made a great storage space for gardening tools or a lawnmower.

A sensitive restoration

Back in the day, the white walls must have been gleaming when the structure served as a school for the children of Salem. But by 2019, the external areas could have done with a good spruce up, a scrub and a fresh coat of paint to get that sparkle back. 

Preserved for the future

Over the years, this heritage building has housed everyone from weary travellers to schoolchildren and even Freemasons. Its colourful history has even earned it recognition as an Alabama Historical Landmark. Public records show that the house was sold again in 2022 for $150,000 and it looks to have been renovated into a gorgeous family home. What a happy ending for this unique property!

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