Historical Analysis of the Scottish Rite Center

Well-known local architect and Shriner, Guy Mahurin, was chosen as architect for the project, with Max Irmscher & Sons as the contractor. "To me, as the architect, the construction of the new Mizpah Shrine temple is the creation of a structure of artistic designs that will serve as a community building for the civic interests of Fort Wayne and northern Indiana." 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.

The façade of the building was designed to "throw about the beholder an atmosphere of the orient and yet give it a logical setting in the midst of a modern American city." Moorish decoration completed the interior as well, with subdued oriental colors, thick, soft carpet, and comfort-giving chairs. Construction costs cost over one million dollars.

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," Ethel Barrymore in "Scarlet Sister Mary" and "The Love Duel," "George White's 'Scandals'," and the "Earl Carroll Vanities."

In 1937, during the Depression, the Mizpah Shrine lost the temple into receivership (though they retained their current property located east of the Scottish Rite Center.) The city contemplated purchasing the Auditorium for municipal use, but in the end, Kaplan Realty bought it at a reported cost of only $52,500. The city continued to use it as a community center, housing the Fort Wayne Philharmonic and other civic events. In 1941, then Mayor Harry Baals helped stave off a Kaplan proposal to rip out the main floor seats and convert it into a bowling alley. Kaplan was losing money on the building but felt a recreation center would be more profitable. Local music groups that utilized the auditorium fought against Kaplan's plan and won. Also 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. The Quimbys also operated the Paramount, Palace, Jefferson and Emboyd (now the Embassy) theatres in Fort Wayne. Stage productions were brought to the Shrine Auditorium, then changed to Quimby Auditorium. During the Quimby Auditorium days, many productions and performers were brought to the stage, including Victor Borge, Duke Ellington, Judith Evelyn in "A Streetcar Named Desire," Tallulah Bankhead and Donald Cook in "Private Lives," and Janet Blair in "South Pacific." The Quimbys also used the Auditorium to show many of the popular movies made in the era, such as Laurence Olivier's "Hamlet," and "The Mikado." It had, at one point, been rumored that the Quimbys would discontinue use of the Auditorium for stage shows and musical presentations and become only a movie house. Many of the locals, once again, fought this proposition and the Quimby Auditorium remained available for use by community arts programs. The Auditorium was home to the Shrine Circus until the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum was built in 1952.

The Valencia Ballroom was utilized as a banquet and dance hall, welcoming some of the nation's name bands, as well as giving a start to local bands. Clifton Humphrey, a former and original member of the local band "The Bel-Aires," says that their first professional gig was in the Valencia Ballroom for a Sunday night dance back in 1950.

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.

The Scottish Rite utilized the facility for their Masonic events and the Auditorium was still available for use by community organizations. Local sorority Psi Iota Xi was one of the many groups that promoted stage productions in the 60's and 70's. Stage productions included well-known performers such as Imogene Coca, Betty Grable, Marcel Marceau, Ann Reinking, Eileen Brennan, Robert Burr, George Jones and Tammy Wynette, Bill Anderson and Peter Nero.

In 1963, a large structure was added to the facility (corner of Berry and Fairfield), originally called the Scottish Rite Cathedral (the word 'Cathedral' has been dropped.) The structure now houses the Scottish Rite's administrative offices, the Gentlemen's Lounge, the Lodge room, Dining Room and the Learning Center for children with dyslexia.

Starting in the 1970's, the popularity of the Scottish Rite Auditorium and Ballroom started to decline. The Embassy Theatre was being revitalized, the Performing Arts Center was built in 1973, and the Allen County Memorial Coliseum was in full swing. Through the 1980's and 90's, fewer and fewer events were held in the facility. Lack of marketing and an event staff prevented the Auditorium's ability to continue as a popular community center and meeting place.

In the late 90's, many Scottish Rite leaders decided to undertake another multi-million dollar renovation to update the facility. In 1999, an event staff was formed to begin marketing the facility and focusing on Non-Masonic events.  Today the Scottish Rite Center hosts many types of events. To date, the 431 Foundation, formed to raise the funds and oversee the renovations, has collected over $1.5 million of the needed $3.1 million to complete all of the renovation projects. Renovation work is being done one project at a time until the rest of the renovation money can be raised.