Birthplace of the El Paso
Symphony Foundation. Older than the Plaza Theater. An El Paso landmark.
History:
The
El Paso Scottish Rite Temple was designed by Hubbell and Green of
Dallas, Texas and built as an "Early Revival Style" by the R.E. McKee
Construction Company of El Paso. Construction began in 1921 and was
completed within 9 months.
The
sphinxes that guard the entrance to the temple were cast in Perth Amboy,
New Jersey, by the Federal-Seaboard Terra Cotta Company and shipped to
El Paso by truck. From start to finish, with the two sphinxes safely on
their bases, took a period of 10 months. Of the seven Scottish Rite
Bodies in Texas, El Paso was the first one to have sphinxes, and they
subsequently arranged for a pair to be given by the El Paso Bodies to
the Waco Consistory.
The El Paso Scottish Rite sphinxes are the largest single-cast terra
cotta sculptures in the world.
Library and Museum:
The El Paso
Scottish Rite Library, Archives and Museum are important to the Scottish
Rite and the El Paso public because they are all well-kept repositories
of a treasured Masonic heritage.
Freemasonry has been for more than two hundred years an integral part
of American society, culture, and history. The purpose of the Library,
Archives and Museum is to maintain a variety of collections, including
current, out-of-print, and rare books, periodicals, manuscripts,
official records of the The Supreme
Council,
art, regalia and artifacts. Many of the archived documents in
our collection include rare photographs of city founders, since most of
them were also Masons, as were many men of that time. We serve
the interests of Masonic scholars, general readers, and touring
visitors, so that the most relevant Masonic books, resources, and
Masonic-related items may be used profitably and enjoyed always.
The El Paso
Scottish Rite Library, Archives and Museum are devoted to the
exhibition, care and study of Masonic books, prints, and antiquities
that reflect the history and experience of Freemasons in American
culture and around the world. The Library houses about 3,000 books. The
Archives hold several manuscript collections and the official records
and papers of The Scottish Rite and Masonry. Among the objects on view
in the Museum are Masonic documents, jewelry, ceramics and glassware.
The Museum also holds items of general interest, including historic
American flags, photographs and memorabilia.
The Museum is open for Tours from 10 AM to 1 PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays
excluding national holidays.
Albert Pike Room:
The Albert Pike
Room was designed to take the form of a Master's Lodge as described by Albert
Pike and serves as a museum for the only Lodge furniture known to have
have been designed and built under the personal direction of Albert Pike.
The furniture was built in 1883 and was used until it was retired in 1954.
The
El Paso Scottish Rite Temple was designed by Hubbell and Green of
Dallas, Texas and built as an "Early Revival Style" by the R.E. McKee
Construction Company of El Paso. Construction began in 1921 and was
completed within 9 months. 
The
sphinxes that guard the entrance to the temple were cast in Perth Amboy,
New Jersey, by the Federal-Seaboard Terra Cotta Company and shipped to
El Paso by truck. From start to finish, with the two sphinxes safely on
their bases, took a period of 10 months. Of the seven Scottish Rite
Bodies in Texas, El Paso was the first one to have sphinxes, and they
subsequently arranged for a pair to be given by the El Paso Bodies to
the Waco Consistory.
The El Paso
Scottish Rite Library, Archives and Museum are important to the Scottish
Rite and the El Paso public because they are all well-kept repositories
of a treasured Masonic heritage.
Council,
art, regalia and artifacts. Many of the archived documents in
our collection include rare photographs of city founders, since most of
them were also Masons, as were many men of that time. We serve
the interests of Masonic scholars, general readers, and touring
visitors, so that the most relevant Masonic books, resources, and
Masonic-related items may be used profitably and enjoyed always.
The El Paso
Scottish Rite Library, Archives and Museum are devoted to the
exhibition, care and study of Masonic books, prints, and antiquities
that reflect the history and experience of Freemasons in American
culture and around the world. The Library houses about 3,000 books. The
Archives hold several manuscript collections and the official records
and papers of The Scottish Rite and Masonry. Among the objects on view
in the Museum are Masonic documents, jewelry, ceramics and glassware.
The Museum also holds items of general interest, including historic
American flags, photographs and memorabilia.
The Albert Pike
Room was designed to take the form of a Master's Lodge as described by Albert
Pike and serves as a museum for the only Lodge furniture known to have
have been designed and built under the personal direction of Albert Pike.
The furniture was built in 1883 and was used until it was retired in 1954.