View of the Scottish Rite Center Stage
In 1924, construction began on the Mizpah Shrine Temple, promising to provide Northeast Indiana with a much-needed community meeting place to host speakers and theatrical productions as well as banquet facilities. The auditorium sat over 2,400 patrons, while the Banquet Hall could seat over 2,000.
Construction began in April 1924, using about 200 workers. Local labor was employed as much as possible in the project. The excavation of the Ballroom took two steam shovels and six weeks to complete. More than 350,000 bricks were used in the construction with hundreds of barrels of cement mixed with gravel and water. The building was said to be the most "fire-proof" structure in the city at the time.
On November 18, 1925, the Mizpah Shrine celebrated the grand opening with their ceremonial and grand ball. The first public event that weekend was a performance of "Aida," performed by the Chicago Grand Opera Company. Many premier events followed that grand opening weekend, including "Ziegfield Follies" with Fannie Bryce and a young Eve Arden, Mae West in her controversial play "Sex,"
In 1937, during the Depression, the Mizpah Shrine lost the temple into receivership. Kaplan Realty bought it at a reported cost of only $52,500.
in the 30's and 40's, the Ballroom was used as an indoor golf course. Army recruiting offices were also housed in the facility for a time.
In 1945, the Quimby Theater chain leased the Auditorium for a 20-year time period at a reported $380,000.
In 1953, the Scottish Rite purchased the Auditorium and Ballroom from KMK Realty Co., and purchased the remainder of the Quimby lease. The original Scottish Rite Cathedral was located on Washington and Clinton streets, but was torn down over ten years after the Scottish Rite moved to the current facility.
In 1958, a large renovation (and the last major renovation prior to current efforts) was conducted, which included updating the Valencia Ballroom, kitchen, sound system, new auditorium curtains, installation of a Wurlitzer concert organ and painting the Horseshoe Lobby.
For a complete history go here: www.srcenter.org/history.htm
View of the Scottish Rite Center Stage
In 1924, construction began on the Mizpah Shrine Temple, promising to provide Northeast Indiana with a much-needed community meeting place to host speakers and theatrical productions as well as banquet facilities. The auditorium sat over 2,400 patrons, while the Banquet Hall could seat over 2,000.
Construction began in April 1924, using about 200 workers. Local labor was employed as much as possible in the project. The excavation of the Ballroom took two steam shovels and six weeks to complete. More than 350,000 bricks were used in the construction with hundreds of barrels of cement mixed with gravel and water. The building was said to be the most "fire-proof" structure in the city at the time.
On November 18, 1925, the Mizpah Shrine celebrated the grand opening with their ceremonial and grand ball. The first public event that weekend was a performance of "Aida," performed by the Chicago Grand Opera Company. Many premier events followed that grand opening weekend, including "Ziegfield Follies" with Fannie Bryce and a young Eve Arden, Mae West in her controversial play "Sex,"
In 1937, during the Depression, the Mizpah Shrine lost the temple into receivership. Kaplan Realty bought it at a reported cost of only $52,500.
in the 30's and 40's, the Ballroom was used as an indoor golf course. Army recruiting offices were also housed in the facility for a time.
In 1945, the Quimby Theater chain leased the Auditorium for a 20-year time period at a reported $380,000.
In 1953, the Scottish Rite purchased the Auditorium and Ballroom from KMK Realty Co., and purchased the remainder of the Quimby lease. The original Scottish Rite Cathedral was located on Washington and Clinton streets, but was torn down over ten years after the Scottish Rite moved to the current facility.
In 1958, a large renovation (and the last major renovation prior to current efforts) was conducted, which included updating the Valencia Ballroom, kitchen, sound system, new auditorium curtains, installation of a Wurlitzer concert organ and painting the Horseshoe Lobby.
For a complete history go here: www.srcenter.org/history.htm