June 7, 1880
The first bricks are laid for the home on June 7, 1880. The barn was first built and used as headquarters for the stone masons, wood carvers, and other carpenters and skilled men who constructed the home. Isaac D. Tuttle was called from Ravenna and Palmyra to Kent to do the stone mason work.
1884
Construction of the Marvin Kent Family Homestead was completed sometime during 1884. The Kent family used this structure as their home until 1923, when Marvin Kent’s son William S. Kent died, and the home passed to his two nieces who then sold the home to the Mason’s due to their being Mason’s in their family.
May 19, 1886
Third floor accident occurs causing the death of Kittie North (later Kent). Kittie was seriously burned when a kerosene heater being used to warm the third floor ballroom exploded as she tended to the stove. Her burns proved to be fatal, as the next day Kittie took her last breath. After her death, the third floor was closed, never to be used for any social functions and was eventually remodeled to be turned into use for the Masons who bought the lodge. Damage was eventually repaired to the other areas of the house that were also damaged in the fire.
1917
The fence was removed in 1917 and used for armament during the First World War. It was later replaced with the low brick wall that is present today. Not much detail is available other than that, but it is a local connection to such a faraway war.
November 1, 1923
William S. Kent passes away in early1923, and the home is sold to the Freemasons turning it into Rockton Lodge #316. The home is still used by the Mason’s to this day, and much of it remains unchanged besides the fire escape that was added that connects to all three floors. The home is passed to the Mason’s on this day.
July 18, 1974
On this day in 1974, the Masonic Temple is added to the National Register of Historic Places. It’s primary period of significance was from 1875-1899, according to the National Register of Historic Places.
January 20, 2017
The Kent Flea Market Facebook page is created for the flea market, which is held at the lodge every second Saturday from May-October of each year. They occasionally host winter events for the flea market as well. The flea market brings in visitors from all over Ohio, and has been widely successful in the years since its creation. Both the inside and outside of the lodge are used for the flea market, allowing it to be an all-weather event with the unpredictable weather in this area.