Monday, June 11, 2012

Beloved Anachronism



I don't know the word for this building, but I don't think 
anachronism is correct. I just find it so unique, so beautiful and 
idiosyncratic that there must be a special word for it.

The Murat Shrine Temple of Indianapolis was started in 1909 
after land at the corner of Michigan and New Jersey Streets 
was purchased for $37,000. The architect was told the design of the 
temple was to take the form of a mosque. 


The building took just under a year to complete and was 
dedicated in March, 1910. The Schubert Organization of New York 
leased the new theatre and, beginning in February, 1910, 
the Shriners of Indianapolis were regularly treated to
to shows from the Broadway stages, including the Ziegfeld Follies.


The new theater could seat 1,950 people and remains, 
to this day a beloved and respected venue for the top acts
in show business, many of whom especially
admire the theater's acoustics. 


This photo shows the back of the Murat Theater, 
which has been painted to resemble the Temple's
main entrance on New Jersey Street. However, there
is a covered entry-way, complete with lighted marque
promoting the current acts appearing at the theater.

3 comments:

dive said...

A gloriously kitsch wonder from the days when American Architects went crazy with size and ornamentation.
Preserve these treasures, Speedway; we won't see their like again now that accountants and lawyers rule Architects' lives.

Anonymous said...

Especially not with the current attitude of USAmericans about Islam.

Valladolid Daily Photo said...

Beautiful building.