Part 354: The First Little Rock Scottish Rite Scenery Collection: 1896, 1899 and 1902
The first three times that Scottish Rite scenery was manufactured by Sosman & Landis for Little Rock, Arkansas, were 1896, 1899 and 1902. They were likely three expansions to the same collection that found a permanent home in the 1902 Albert Pike Consistory building. An entirely new scenery collection replaced this combination in 1924; it was also produced by Sosman & Landis and created for the Albert Pike Memorial Temple.
The first Scottish Rite scenery collection was delivered in 1896 to the Albert Pike Cathedral; this scenery was for the Little Rock Scottish Rite on Center Street. A Jewish synagogue was remodeled and equipped for $12,000. The 1896 collection was expanded in 1899 when additional scenery was purchased for the same space. The Scottish Rite remained in the converted synagogue until September 1902 when the Scottish Rite Consistory was completed. As with many Valleys, the dramatic increase in membership demanded a larger home, so a second building was constructed, moving the Scottish Rite from Center Street to the northwest corner of 8th and Scott. This new building was remodeled and enlarged by 1913; the expansion incorporated the 1902 building into the complex, but added a projecting front bay and triangular pediment supported by four fluted Ionic columns.
There was a fire on August, 27, 1919, that burned down a Masonic building in Little Rock, but it was not the Albert Pike Consistory; it was the Masonic Temple building. Fire destroyed the seven-story Masonic Temple complex where the Grand Lodge of Arkansas and the York Bodies were located at 5th and Main. However, the destruction of the Grand Lodge and York Rite spaces partially instigated the planning and construction of a new Masonic complex in Little Rock – the 1924 Albert Pike Memorial Temple. This new building would house all of the Masonic Bodies in Little Rock, including the Scottish Rite. Ground was broken for this new structure on December 3, 1921; the cornerstone laid on May 11, 1922, and the building dedicated by May 12, 1924. The cost of the 1924 three-story building was $1.5 million dollars.
Thomas G. Moses’ resumé lists the scenery for Little Rock’s 1896 and 1902 installations, but not the 1899 scenic additions. That year Moses was primarily out of the studio, traveling and contemplating another departure from Sosman & Landis. By 1900, Moses left Sosman & Landis to form a new partnership with Will Hamilton in New York City until 1904 (Moses & Hamilton). His taking credit for the 1902 scenery collection suggests that it was the same 1896/1899 scenery, or another expansion of the original scenery collection. Even the 1904 “New Age Magazine” article describing in detail the Albert Pike Consistory did not suggest the purchase of a brand new scenery collection for the building.
Here is an excerpt from the article, written by SGIG Charles E. Rosenbaum. This article really established Little Rock degree productions as the gold standard for degree work in the Southern Jurisdiction:
“It is claimed, and we do not doubt that it is true, that the stage equipment in Little Rock is the most perfect in America – not only for Masonic purposes, for which it is used exclusively, but from any point of view. It is said by theatrical experts that nowhere else in America, with the possible exception of one theater in New York, and one in Chicago, it is possible to produce either the scenic or electric effects that can be produced on this stage. There are over one hundred drops all so perfectly counterweighted that the heaviest as well as the lightest in weight moves easier than a well-balanced window sash in a private residence. In addition to the drops, there are nearly one hundred set pieces of various sizes, to make the scenic equipment complete, and with the elaborate incidental property the scenic equipment is one of great magnitude.
The electric equipment is perhaps more elaborate, and of greater magnitude, if such a thing can be possible, and some ideas of its capacity may be gathered when it is known that with the numerous border rows, ground rows, strips, bunch lights, arc projectors, lens boxes and spot lights, there is a capacity of more than six thousand sixteen-candle-power lights on the stage alone. All these are handled with great effect and with the precision of beauty through the medium of a specially designed switch board, the creation of Brother Bestor G. Brown, who has given much thought and labor to stage and electric equipment, and is a recognized authority on the subject. It must be understood that a Scottish Rite stage is not to be conceived as a theatrical stage, for when so considered much of its effective use is destroyed, but when used as a combination with the floor of the auditorium, giving to the initiate a beautiful picture for the eye, while at the same time he is lending an attentive ear to the lessons that are being taught, the use of such a stage will be understood and correspondingly valued.”
Notice at this point that Rosenbaum is really walking a very fine line, knowing that Pike had condemned melodramatic productions for degree work. He is defending the implementation and use of degree productions.
The article continues: “The Bodies of Little Rock were pioneers in the use of a stage in the Southern Jurisdiction. It was to be expected that when they constructed their present magnificent and perfectly equipped building, the experience gained not only through their own efforts but through those of others who, in the meantime, had adopted the use of the Scottish Rite purposes, would give them just what, in fact, they have, the most perfect one in the land. Our experience was of great value in designing and equipping this building, which would we think, be credit to even the largest city in the United States. For this reason, it is particularly noticeable and a source of admiration of the part of all who visit it. Many Brethren of distinction have come from great distances on committees, or as the representatives of Bodies located elsewhere, for the purpose of observing its excellent arrangement and equipment and utilizing them in other buildings.”
The 1902 scenery for the Albert Pike Consistory is still used, just by another Scottish Rite Valley – Pasadena, California. In an interesting turn of events, I depart for Pasadena this afternoon to repair one of their scenes. I will take a break from my blog for the next few days to cover my project for the Pasadena Scottish Rite.
To be continued…
Excellent historic perspective! I had read that the 1902 building had been torn down and completely replaced by the 1912 building, which was then incorporated into the 1924 building. The 1912 part was the victim of the 1952 fire, which fortunately spared the current auditorium with the 1924 drops and electrical equipment modeled after Radio City Music hall in New York. State of the art in 1924, and still in use!
Thank you for your comments, Karl. The Little Rock history can be confusing, as there were the series of buildings with name changes too. That is one of the reasons that the Little Rock Scottish Rite scenery history took a series of posts to explain. However, there is no doubt that the Pasadena Scottish Rite still uses part of the 1902 Little Rock scenery.