Detroit's Masonic Temple
History of Fraternity
One of Detroit's most popular landmarks, the Masonic is the largest Masonic Temple in the world. Located at 500 Temple street, the temple has a total of 1,037 rooms, including three theaters, two ballrooms and a barber shop. It was dedicated Thanksgiving Day, 1926.
STill In Use
Today the building is used for events such as weddings and conferences. The auditorium, seen here, is used for concerts. In 2013, the Temple's Cathedral Theater was renamed the Jack White Theater, after the musician saved the Masonic from foreclosure.
THe main story
Legend has it the Masonic's architect and financer, George D. Mason went too far in funding the building, leading to bankruptcy and his wife leaving him. With depression consuming him, Mr. Mason jumped to his death from the Masonic's rooftop.
Employees often say they hear his ghost climbing the stairs to the roof while visitors often report feeling watched, saying the Temple has a generally creepy atmosphere.
Ghost Hunters
A favorite of paranormal investigation teams, evidence of a few ghostly presences is during this session by Detroit Paranormal Expeditions.
Figure 1. Title: "Masonic Temple"Creator: "United News Company"Subject: "Masonic Temple (Detroit, MI)"Publisher: "United News Company"Description: "View of Masonic Temple; park and semicircular driveway in foreground. Printed on front: "New Masonic Temple, Temple Ave. and Second Boulevard, Detroit, Mich." Printed on back: "Published by United News Co., Detroit, Mich." Miller Art Co. publisher trademark printed on back."Coverage: "Detroit Masonic Temple"Resource type: "Image"Format: "1 postcard : col. ; 3.5 x 5.5 in."Language: "English"Source: "https://digitalcollections.detroitpubliclibrary.org/islandora/object/islandora:137045"
Figure 2.1 Title: "Masonic Temple auditorium"Creator: "George D. Mason & Co". Subject: "Masonic Temple (Detroit, MI)"Description: "Interior of the Masonic Temple. Written on photo back: "Masonic Temple-Consistory Auditorium."Coverage: "Detroit Masonic Temple"Resource type: "Image" Format: "1 photographic print ; 8 x 10 in."Language: "English" Source: "https://digitalcollections.detroitpubliclibrary.org/islandora/object/islandora%3A167515"
Figure 2.2Title: "Detroit Masonic Temple Conference"Creator: "George D. Mason & Co."Subject: "Freemasonry, George D. Mason" Description: "Nine male participants in Masonic Temple Conference posing for photograph. Written on photo front: "January 31, 1923, C.F. Pittman, Scott Button, Geo. Wagschal, T. Harvey, Lyman Clark, E. McCleary, F.E. Fisher, J.D. Stoddard, Geo. D. Mason, Detroit Masonic Temple Conference, General Electric Co., Schenectady, 264.""Coverage: "Detroit, Michigan"Resource type: "Image" Format: "1 photographic print ; 4 x 4.25 in."Language: "English" Source: "https://digitalcollections.detroitpubliclibrary.org/islandora/object/islandora%3A167971"
Figure 2.3Title: "Masonic Temple under construction"Creator: NoneSubject: "Masonic Temple (Detroit, MI)"Description: "View of workers applying roofing materials with tar at the Masonic Temple in Detroit, Michigan, during construction. Two men watch in background. Handwritten on back: "May 1924.""Coverage: "Detroit Masonic Temple"Resource type: "Image" Format: "1 photographic print mounted on fabric ; 7.5 x 9.75 in."Language: "English"Source: "https://digitalcollections.detroitpubliclibrary.org/islandora/object/islandora%3A71"
Video 1. Title: "Detroit Masonic Temple - Haunt Investigators of Michigan"Creator: "Moritz"Subject: "Investigating paranormal activity in the Masonic Temple"Description: "Paranormal Activity in the Masonic"Coverage: "Detroit Masonic Temple"Resource type: "MovingImage"Format: "Video"Language: "English"Source: "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYEfIGGyrcw"