Site Event/Activity record ECH5179 - Excavations in Hunter Street (New Masonic Hall), 1909 (Chester)

The foundations of an extensive Roman building, bounded on the south side by a long narrow passage running east to west (1). According to a 1926 summary: 'The site on which the Masonic Lodge now stands was excavated by the contractors in the summer of the year 1909. Nearly all the earth was then carted away, leaving the upper stratum of the sandstone rock more or less exposed. At the beginning of the excavations traces of buildings were found towards the frontage line of the street; but unfortunately these were carted away before any definite record could be made of them. ...Later, instructions were given to leave any trace of building that might be found until such time as they could be plotted in on the general plan,' (2). The site would later be excavated further in 1914.