Hollywood Masonic Temple facts for kids
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Hollywood Masonic Temple
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Hollywood Masonic Temple, 2008
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 Location in the Los Angeles metropolitan area
Location in California
Location in the United States
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| Location | 6840 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, California |
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| Built | 1921 |
| Architect | John C. Austin |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 85000355 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | February 28, 1985 |
The Hollywood Masonic Temple, also known as the El Capitan Entertainment Centre, is a famous building on Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985, meaning it's an important historical site.
Built in 1921, the building was designed by architect John C. Austin, who also designed the Griffith Observatory. For many years, it was home to the Masons, a fraternal organization. They used the temple until 1982.
Today, the building is owned by the Walt Disney Company. They use it as a special place for movie premieres and events. Since 2003, the building's theater has also been the home of the TV show Jimmy Kimmel Live!.
There's a fun rumor that a secret tunnel once connected the temple to Grauman's Chinese Theatre. This tunnel supposedly let movie stars avoid crowds at premieres. If it existed, it might have been destroyed when the Red Line subway was built.
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Building a Landmark: The Masonic Temple's Story
In 1922, the Hollywood Lodge of the Masons moved into this new building. It was built by lodge master Charles E. Toberman. He was a very important person in Hollywood. He also helped create famous places like the Hollywood Bowl and Grauman's Chinese Theatre. The building cost about $176,000 to build, which was a lot of money back then!
When it first opened, the temple was one of the biggest and most impressive buildings in Hollywood. It had many cool features:
- A billiard room for games
- A pipe organ for music
- A ladies' parlor
- A grand ballroom
- Special rooms for Masonic meetings
People at the time said the building was "unsurpassed for beauty." The architect, John C. Austin, also designed other famous Los Angeles buildings. These include the Shrine Auditorium and Los Angeles City Hall.
The Los Angeles Times newspaper once described the building as a "somber Neoclassical temple." This means it has a classic, grand style that stands out on Hollywood Boulevard.
Famous Masons and the Great Depression
Many famous people in Hollywood were Masons over the years. Some of them include:
- Oliver Hardy
- Harold Lloyd
- Douglas Fairbanks
- W. C. Fields
- Cecil B. DeMille
- D. W. Griffith
- John Wayne
- Roy Rogers
- Gene Autry
During the Great Depression in the 1930s, many Masons lost their money. Because of this, the Masons had to rent out the ground floor of their building. After World War II, the Masons started using the building fully again. In 1948, a large memorial service for D. W. Griffith was held there. Later, in 1969, Harold Lloyd was honored right in front of the temple when his name was added to the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
New Beginnings: From Opera to Entertainment Centre
By the late 1970s, fewer people were joining the Masons. The Masons eventually sold the building in 1982. A singer named Rosita LaBello bought it. She wanted to turn it into the Hollywood Opera & Theater Company. However, her opera company didn't last long, and the building was sold back to the Masons.
In 1986, a developer signed a lease to use the building. It was renovated and reopened in 1987 as the Hollywood Live Entertainment Pavilions. This new venue had a cabaret, a jazz theater, and a dance club. But this venture also didn't last very long.
Disney's Vision: The El Capitan Entertainment Centre
In 1995, Disney rented the building for a special event. It was a "funhouse" to promote the movie Toy Story. Disney liked using the building for promotions. So, in 1998, Buena Vista Pictures Distribution (part of Disney) bought the building. They paid $3.6 million for it.
After a lot of work, Disney reopened the building in 2002. They named it the El Capitan Entertainment Centre. Disney carefully restored many of the building's original features. These included beautiful stone decorations, iron lights, and old mailboxes.
On January 26, 2003, the popular TV show Jimmy Kimmel Live! started filming at the entertainment center. It has been its home ever since.
