Modern Brotherhood of America Building

The Modern Brotherhood of America Building, located in Mason City, Iowa, is a historic office building constructed between 1916 and 1917 for the Modern Brotherhood of America, a fraternal organization that provided life insurance to its members. Designed in the Classical Revival style by architects Bell & Bentley, the eight-story structure features a striking facade with granite and terra cotta cladding, intricate pilasters, and a U-shaped design that allows natural light into its center. The building served as the headquarters for the Brotherhood until its merger in 1948, after which it changed ownership several times. Notably, it was dedicated with a speech by former U.S. President William Howard Taft. The MBA Building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002, making it a significant landmark for both tourists and researchers interested in early 20th-century architecture and fraternal organizations.