GC3YN79 (DCH) Masonic Temple Theatre (Traditional Cache) in Michigan, United States created by RayQix

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A cache by RayQix Message this owner

Hidden : 11/9/2012

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Geocache Description:

The Detroit Cinema History (DCH) caches are dedicated to the local creation, viewing, or enjoyment of movie and cinema-related items in the local area. This series is a companion to the Michigan Cinema History (MCH) series.

This can include, and is not limited to, people, places, and things of Cinema or both past-and-present.

Masonic Temple Theatre
Opened: 1926 | Seats: 4400

The Masonic Temple Theatre Auditorium

The Masonic Temple Theatre is part of the Detroit Masonic Temple complex, which is the world's largest Masonic Temple. The building is located at 500 Temple in the "Cass Corridor" area of Detroit and became (and remains) the largest Masonic Temple in the world after 1939 when the Chicago Masonic Temple was demolished.

The Masonic Temple Association of Detroit started building their new temple on Temple Ave on Thanksgiving Day, 1920. Tens of thousands of Masons and citizens assembled at 500 Temple Ave for the turning of the first spade of dirt.

This is the spade that was used.

The spade handle is fine hand carved wood and has a small plaque on the handle. It reads: "In Memoriam of our Brother's who died in the World War. This spade is presented by the Wayne County Masters Association to the Detroit Masonic Temple Association for the turning of the sod for the new Masonic Temple. November 25, 1920."

The building, under construction, 1922-1923

The theatre itself was desiged by architect George Mason, who designed it in the neo-gothic architectural style, and faced with Indiana limestone. Although there are few Masonic buildings in the Gothic style, the architect believed that Gothic best exemplified Masonic traditions.

The cornerstone was placed on September 19, 1922, using the same masonic trowel that George Washington had used to set the cornerstone of the United States Capitol in Washington D.C..

The Trowel

Thanksgiving Day of 1926 is when the building was finally dedicated after approximately 6 years of construction.

The Masonic Temple Theatre originally had seating for 5,000. However due to poor sight lines along the sides of the stage (the auditorium has a horseshoe shaped auditorium, rather than a fan shaped auditorium of most theatres), and obstructed views (pillars), nearly 600 seats are never sold or have been removed. So maximum seating becomes 4,404.

This has been noted to be one of the finest theatres in the United States. Because of the aforementioned seating arrangement, there is a very intimate contact between the audience and stage. A great deal of careful study was given to the acoustical treatment of this room which has produced an auditorium where the hearing qualities are perfect from every seat. The stage of the auditorium is the second largest in the United States, having a width between walls of 100 feet and a depth from the curtain line of 55 feet.

Panoramic view backstage at the Masonic Theatre

The theatre has been used for various shows, concerts, and attractions over the years. In 1978, Bruce Springsteen performed here for at least two shows, cancelling a third.