Historic Foley Building Now South Baldwin Chamber’s Office

A 97-year-old building that survived proposals to be torn down is now the office of the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce after being donated to the organization by the City of Foley. The chamber held an open house on May 22 to display the renovations made to the 5,600-ft2 building. The two-story building in the Mission Revival style was built on North Alston Street in 1925 and was the Foley Masonic Lodge for approximately 50 years. The city bought it in 2002, then gave it to the chamber in 2021. Donna Watts, chamber president and CEO, said the donation marks the first time in the organization’s 79 year history it has owned the building in which it is housed. “This building is on the state and national historic registry,” Watts added. “Now, it’s going to live on and be a vital part of Downtown Foley just like it was in 1925 when the building was built and the Masonic Hall was here.” Riviera Utilities also helped the chamber in its efforts to find a permanent location and provided financial assistance when the chamber had to leave one location.