India Temple Shrine Building - Oklahoma City, OK
Posted by: 
hamquilter
N 35° 28.426 W 097° 30.982
14S E 634603 N 3926595
Also known as the Law Journal Record Building, this is the largest non-government building in the Neoclassical architecture style in downtown Oklahoma City.
Waymark Code: WMB837
Location: Oklahoma, United States
Date Posted: 04/17/2011
Views: 9
The Indian Temple Shrine Building was constructed in 1923 by sixteen Masonic Lodges in Oklahoma City. This is a six-story limestone and brick building, designed by the renowned architects, Layton, Hicks and Forsythe. The north and east elevations are limestone, with the south and west being brick.
The main entrance faces east with the first three levels having rectangular windows and a projected entryway. This entry was remodeled in 1947 using limestone blocks and marble columns. The top three levels have rectangular windows, Ionic columns, capitals and a projected cornice.
The west portion of the north elevation is only five stories. The lower two levels were once a large, 2,000 seat auditorium that was used first for live entertainment and later as a movie theater. Between the two sections of the building on the north side is a large entryway added in 1947 for movie customers. The original marquee is no longer there. This entry is currently used by the National Memorial & Museum.
The Masons only occupied this building for less than ten years and lost it financially during the Depression. It sat vacant for 13 years. It was purchased off the auction block in 1945 by Home State Life Insurance Company, who also operated the Home State Theater, which ended operations in 1952.
The Law Journal Record Publishing Company purchased the building in 1978. A floor was constructed in the movie auditorium, converting it to two floors on office space. The newspaper offices were here from 1978 until April 19, 1995 when the Alfred Murrah Bombing occurred. The building was severely damaged with all windows being blown out and some walls destroyed. The newspaper moved to other offices and the building was purchased by Dolan Media.
Today, the building has once again been remodeled inside. 30,000 square feet of the building is operated as the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum. This is an interactive learning museum. With the use of photos, videos, artifacts and tributes and memorials, adults and children alike learn how the chaos of this heinous act has turned to hope. The touching National Memorial and reflecting pool sit just south of this building, as does the famous "Survivor Tree." The remainder of the building is occupied by the City of Oklahoma City.
Street address:
621 N. Robinson Avenue
Oklahoma City, OK US
73102
County / Borough / Parish: Oklahoma County
Year listed: 1980
Historic (Areas of) Significance: Event, Architecture/Engineering
Periods of significance: 1900-1924
Historic function: Social
Current function: Museum/Government
Privately owned?: yes
Primary Web Site: [Web Link]
Secondary Website 1: [Web Link]
Season start / Season finish: Not listed
Hours of operation: Not listed
Secondary Website 2: Not listed
National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
Please give the date and brief account of your visit. Include any additional observations or information that you may have, particularly about the current condition of the site. Additional photos are highly encouraged, but not mandatory.