On December 12, 1925—ninety-seven years ago today—groundbreaking ceremonies were conducted at 1547 Oak Street (now Lakeside Drive) for the Oakland Scottish Rite Temple. On the same date two years later in 1927, the building was complete and dedicated to the great work of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. The temple, then, as is the case now, is arguably one of the finest examples of Masonic architecture on the west coast.
Shown here are photographs of the groundbreaking ceremonies on December 12, 1925, the dedication booklet from December 12, 1927, the temple’s façade as it looked upon completion, and finally, several recent photos by Leanne Carnegie of the temple’s magnificent interior–which has not changed much since its opening day!
(All photographs property of the Oakland Scottish Rite/Harry Yetter Masonic Research Library and Leanne Carnegie. 2022 All Rights Reserved).
Crowds gather for the December 12, 1925 the Oakland Scottish Rite Temple groundbreaking ceremony.
(From California’s First Century of Scottish Rite Masonry, p. 62)
December 12, 1927 Dedication program for the Oakland Scottish Rite Temple.
The Oakland Scottish Rite Temple as it looked when complete (ca. 1927). The façade was replaced in the mid-1930s due to erosion caused by salt air produced by precipitation from Lake Merritt.
The Oakland Scottish Rite Temple as it looks today, with its mid-’30s Art Deco façade.
The temple’s exquisite ballroom.
Overlooking the temple’s astounding ballroom.
A view of the stunning auditorium foyer.
Looking east onto Lake Merritt—one of the best views in Oakland!
Entering the auditorium…
The breathtaking dome and pillars within the auditorium.
Soaring pillars in the auditorium.
One of the rarest sights in all of Oakland…
Not a bad seat in the house!