Originally known as the Phillips school building, the present-day Masonic Temple was originally built in 1899 by sub-developer J.H. Phillips as part of Covina Grammar School. In 1900 it became Covina High School and remained such until 1910 when a new high school was built on South Citrus Avenue. In 1919 the older building was rolled on logs to its present location at 170 E. School Street and dedicated as the Masonic Temple in 1921. The nonprofit organization, Masonic Homes of California, still maintains residences for children and for senior citizens near the site.
(Much of this information comes from the Covina newspaper archives which can be found here.)