According to a report published in the 1927 British Palestine Exploration Fund (P.E.F.) journal (p. 171), the earthquake that struck Lod in July 1911 was devastating.  Approximately 500 houses in the Old City were completely destroyed and 40 people lost their lives. Due to the earthquake, the city's residents were forced to build strong stone houses, and thus the city's appearance began to change. Since most of the residents were financially well-off, spacious stone houses were built at a considerable distance from each other during this period, gradually reducing the cluttered appearance of the city. Some of the town's residents even left the old center and built their homes to the west of it. Thus, a new neighborhood began to take shape – the “Western Quarter.” Between the two quarters – the old one in the east and the new one in the west – was a small neighborhood where the Christian residents of Lod lived. It is interesting to note that the population of the Eastern Quarter and the Christian Quarter included both poor and rich people, with no distinction between them, so that one could find large houses next to small, dilapidated dome-shaped houses in the same quarter. Paths led from the houses to the Mosque, around which the economic and social life of the city revolved. There were always crowds near the Mosque. Religious ceremonies were held there, such as the Zikr (enthusiastic reading of the Koran bordered on ecstasy). The street leading to the Mosque was the city's main business center, where most of the shoppers passed through. Next to the Mosque was the main café, where the city's respected men spent most of their time. Due to a lack of entertainment venues, the café was a gathering place for men in the evenings. The café hosted Karagoz performances (performances of fascinating stories presented using puppets behind a screen).

From: Vakrat, Ora, 1977, Lod - Historical Geography, published by Goma and the Municipality of Lod - Cherikover.

At the end of the Ottoman period, in 1904, construction began on another mosque in the city. The mosque was built by Dahmash al-Khalil, a resident and one of the city's dignitaries. An Arab architect from the city of Jaffa was brought in to design the mosque. Six shops were also incorporated into the mosque's construction. The shops were rented to various shopkeepers in the city, and the proceeds were donated entirely to the maintenance of the Mosque (payment for the imam, the muezzin, and welfare services for the poor). According to the testimony of Dahmash’s son, the Mosque could hold 800 worshippers during Friday prayers. Later, a fountain was built opposite the Mosque, whose water was used by the city's residents free of charge.

From: Vakrat, Ora, 1977, Lod - Historical Geography, published by Goma and the Lod Municipality - Chrikover.

Towards the end of the Ottoman period, a Municipality was established in Lod. The Municipal building was not far from the Al-Omari Mosque (today it borders the local market. In the 1950s, the building served as the main post office and housed the offices of the electric company). The Municipality also included representation of the Christian community, which was represented by the Mukhtar of the Christian Quarter (near St. George's Church). The Mayor conducted municipal affairs from his office or from a nearby café, as the café was a gathering place for the city's dignitaries, who discussed political matters there. Announcements from the Mayor and his City Council was conveyed to the residents by means of the “dalal,” a “town crier” who walked through the streets of the city and proclaimed the municipal announcements in a loud voice. The Municipality had few functions at that time, as it did not deal with planning issues, water supply to homes, or city cleaning. These problems were solved by the residents themselves. Water was drawn from wells scattered throughout the city, and garbage was dumped near homes without being considered a nuisance.

From: Vakar, Ora, 1977, Lod - Historical Geography, published by Goma and the Municipality of Lod - Chrikover.