Afterglow Vista
48°36′57″N 123°08′56″W / 48.615947°N 123.149003°W / 48.615947; -123.149003
Location664 Afterglow Dr, Friday Harbor, Washington, U.S.

Afterglow Vista (also known as the McMillin Memorial Mausoleum and Afterglow Mausoleum) is a mausoleum located in San Juan County, Washington, United States, near Friday Harbor and Roche Harbor. It is the final resting place of businessman John S. McMillin, his wife and children,[1] and one of the family's employees. The design of the mausoleum incorporates numerous instances of symbolism, some of it Masonic in nature.[2]

Background and construction

Afterglow Vista serves as the final resting place of John S. McMillin and several members of his family. During his life, McMillin was a lawyer, businessman and political figure. Born in Indiana in 1855,[3][4] McMillin attended DePauw University, where he became a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity, and served as the fraternity's first Grand Consul, or international president.[5] In 1884, McMillin moved with his wife and son from Indiana to Washington Territory,[4] where he became the owner of Tacoma and Roche Harbor Lime Company.[6] He was also an ardent Freemason.[7]

Six years before he died, McMillin ordered for Afterglow Vista to be built.[8] Construction was completed in 1936, the year of McMillin's death, and cost $30,000.[8]

Design

The mausoleum is located in a wooded area, and can be accessed by following a trail through a set of gates topped with the words "Afterglow Vista".[9][10]

The mausoleum itself consists of an open-air rotunda with a limestone table in its center.[1] Around the table are several stone chairs for each member of the McMillin family, inside each of which are hollow niches containing the cremated ashes of the family members.[1][9] Inscribed on the backs of the chairs are the corresponding names of each individual.[9] There are numerous instances of Masonic symbolism incorporated into the mausoleum's design.[11] Surrounding the stone table and chairs are six columns, along with one intentionally broken column.[1][9] The broken column is meant to symbolize the concept that "death breaks the column of any man's life",[9][10] or alternately, to represent the idea of unfinished work in one's life.[11] The steps leading to the stone table and chairs represent "stages of life, orders in architecture, the human senses, and the liberal arts and sciences."[11]

Afterglow Vista has been called a "Masonic landmark".[12] The mausoleum's care is monitored by the Sigma Chi fraternity's Monuments and Memorials Commission.[12]

Interments

Afterglow Vista serves as the final resting place of John S. McMillin, his wife Louella Hiett, their sons John Hiett McMillin (born and died 1878), Fred Hiett McMillin (1880 – 1922), and Paul Hiett McMillin (1886 – 1961), and their daughter Dorothy Hiett McMillin (1894 – 1980). Additionally, the cremated ashes of Adah Beeny (also spelled Ada Beane),[9] who served as a caretaker of the McMillin children[12] or as John S. McMillin's personal secretary,[9] are interred in John Hiett McMillin's crypt.[12]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Afterglow Vista – Friday Harbor, Washington". Atlas Obscura. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  2. ↑ Walker 2009, p. 99–100.
  3. ↑ Busbey, T. Addison, ed. (1906). The Biographical Directory of the Railway Officials of America - Edition of 1906. Chicago, Illinois: Railway Age Company. p. 688. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  4. 1 2 Walker 2009, p. 25.
  5. ↑ Walker 2009, p. 71.
  6. ↑ Walker 2009, p. 7.
  7. ↑ Kirk, Ruth; Alexander, Carmela (1995). Exploring Washington's Past: A Road Guide to History. University of Washington Press. p. 250. ISBN 978-0295974439.
  8. 1 2 Branch, Zoe (July 29, 2019). "Echoes from the Past". South Sound Magazine. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "The McMillin Mausoleum". Weird U.S. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  10. 1 2 Cantwell, Brian J. (March 26, 2015). "5 favorite hikes on San Juan Island". The Seattle Times. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  11. 1 2 3 Walker 2009, p. 99.
  12. 1 2 3 4 Walker 2009, p. 100.

Bibliography

Further reading

  • Lucas, Eric (1997). Hidden Washington. Ulysses Press. ISBN 1-56975-108-0.
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