MBA (Modern Brotherhood of America) Building

In the heart of Mason City, Iowa, stands a testament to early 20th-century architectural grandeur and fraternal ambition—the MBA Building, also known as the Modern Brotherhood of America Building. This eight-story edifice, constructed between 1916 and 1917, has not only been a hub for business and social activities but also an emblem of the town's rich history and cultural heritage.

The Modern Brotherhood of America

The Modern Brotherhood of America (MBA) was founded in Tipton, Iowa, on April 5, 1897. The organization, primarily focused on providing life insurance to its members, was the brainchild of Thomas B. Hanley, a former mayor of Tipton and an active Pythian and Mason. Hanley served as the Supreme President for the first 22 years, guiding the Brotherhood through its formative years. At its peak, the MBA boasted a membership of 130,000, although this number dwindled in the 1910s due to the introduction of actuarially sound rates, the impact of World War I, and the influenza epidemic.

Despite these challenges, the MBA persevered, and by 1923, it had 48,610 benefit members across every state except those in the Deep South and Canada. The organization, while not secretive, did adopt a ritual in December 1901, and its officers included a Supreme President, Supreme Vice-President, Supreme Treasurer, Supreme Physician, Supreme Chaplain, Supreme Conductor, Supreme Watchman, Supreme Sentry, General Attorney, and a Board of Directors. The headquarters, known as the Supreme Office, also published a newspaper titled Modern Brotherhood.

A Landmark in Mason City

The MBA Building was erected on the site of a former Elks lodge in downtown Mason City. Designed by the Minneapolis-based architectural firm Bell & Bentley, construction began on May 18, 1916, and the building was dedicated with much fanfare on June 6 and 7, 1917. The dedication ceremony was graced by a speech from former U.S. President William Howard Taft, adding a touch of national significance to the event.

Over the years, the MBA Building has changed hands and names. In 1948, the Modern Brotherhood of America merged with the Independent Order of Foresters, who subsequently sold the building to the Mason City Brick and Tile Company. The building was then renamed after the company. In 1973, it was sold to State Street Investment, which undertook a renovation project, and it changed ownership again in 2000.

Architectural Splendor

The MBA Building is a steel-framed structure designed in the Classical Revival style, characterized by its base, shaft, and capital. The two primary street facades are arranged in five bays each, with the ground floor forming the base, clad in granite and featuring wide glazed storefront openings. The second floor, clad in terra cotta, caps the base with a cornice, while the third through seventh floors are adorned with lighter-colored terra cotta and pilasters in the central bays, mimicking the fluting of a column's shaft. Sash windows fill the spaces between the pilasters, and a series of sixteen electric light fixtures mark the ends of the bays. The eighth floor is separated by a terra cotta cornice, with arched tops to the central bays, and the building is crowned with a deep terra cotta cornice, completing the capital.

The non-street facades are plain brick, and metal fire escapes have been added for additional egress. Above the second floor, the building is U-shaped, allowing light and air to reach the center. Inside, two elevators with windows into their shafts are located at the end of the indentation, flanked by an open stair. Circulation on the upper floors follows a double-loaded corridor shaped like the U, while the second floor, rectangular in plan, features internal circulation and glass storefronts suitable for retail stores.

Interior Elegance

The first floor of the MBA Building boasts a lobby oriented towards the stairs and elevator, with marble walls and Ionic pilasters. The lobby's plaster ceiling is beamed and detailed, and the original wood and glass vestibule enclosures have survived. The upper floors echo the lobby's materials, with marble bases and oak wainscoting. The top floor, once the headquarters of the Modern Brotherhood of America, retains traces of Classical Revival details, adding to the building's historical charm.

A Historic Treasure

The MBA Building also features two basements, with the upper basement offering leasable space and the lower basement dedicated to utilities. Recognizing its historical and architectural significance, the MBA Building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on September 12, 2002. It was also included as a contributing property in the Mason City Downtown Historic District in 2005.

Today, the MBA Building stands as a proud monument to Mason City's rich history and architectural heritage. Its walls echo the stories of the past, from the ambitions of the Modern Brotherhood of America to the bustling activities of the Mason City Brick and Tile Company. A visit to this historic building offers a glimpse into the early 20th century, a time of grand aspirations and architectural elegance in the heart of Iowa.