What is the connection between the Masonic Order and the streets of Sandusky?
If you look at a map of the original plat of Sandusky (roughly covering the area bordered by Water Street on the north, Meigs Street on the east, Shelby Street on the west, and, on the south, the area where today Columbusand Hayes Avenues intersect), you will notice diagonal streets which form a diamond-like pattern across the street grid. Commonly known as the Kilbourn plat, this original street plan is said to be designed incorporating the symbol of the Masonic order. Charles Frohman discusses it in his book Sandusky’s Yesterdays. Another tradition, which has good reason to exist, is that when Sandusky was platted, the surveyor, Hector Kilbourn, imposed upon the regularity of the streets laid at right angles, the square and compass of the Masonic order. Kilbourn, a Mason, was the first master of Science Lodge, founded in Sandusky in 1818. Remembering that Monroe Street was the southernmost street, the corner of the square would have rested south of it, while Elm and Poplar Streets fo
