Birthplace of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry in Oklahoma

The plaque's 1920 temple grew out of a lost capital. Guthrie built Convention Hall in 1908 for the new state legislature, which met there for its regular session of 1909 and a special session in 1910. After the legislature agreed that year to move the capital to Oklahoma City, the city offered the hall and Capitol Park to the Scottish Rite Masons. Parr & Hawk's Temple was begun in May 1920 on the west side of the old hall, now its East Annex, and the complex joined the National Register in 1987.

What the plaque says

Birthplace of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry in Oklahoma On October 4, 1899, William L. Eagleton, Grand Master of Masons for Oklahoma Territory, laid a cornerstone at this site for the construction of the first Scottish Rite Masonic Temple in Oklahoma. The Temple occupied the south half of this block and boasted a larger auditorium, stage and proscenium than the Brooks Opera House, also located in downtown Guthrie. It was fitted with all the modern improvements, including electric lights. The architect for the building was D.W.F. Turbyfill, Oklahoma City. The Dedication Reunion of the Guthrie Scottish Rite Bodies was held on May 29-31, 1900. A class of 47 candidates emerged as 32° Masons, thus launching what would become one of the largest Scottish Rite Masonic organizations in the United States. In 1920, a new edifice was constructed by the Scottish Rite at 900 East Oklahoma Avenue. The first Scottish Rite Temple in Oklahoma was finally razed in 1956.

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Oklahoma Territorial Museum and Carnegie Library — steps away
  The 1902 Carnegie Library in Guthrie where Oklahoma's statehood was proclaimed in 1907, saved from demolition in 1972 by adding a museum of the seventeen territorial years beside it.

More markers nearby

• Catherine Ann (Kate) Barnard — 0.3 mi
• Mulhall — 13 mi
• Washington Irving's Camp — 16 mi
• Central State College — 16 mi