Scottish Rite Cathedral (San Antonio, Texas) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Scottish Rite Cathedral
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 Scottish Rite Cathedral
Location in Texas
Scottish Rite Cathedral
Location in the United States
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| Location | 308 Ave. E, San Antonio, Texas |
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| Built | 1924 |
| Architect | Greene, Herbert M.; Cameron, Ralph H. |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 96000068 |
| Added to NRHP | February 16, 1996 |
The Scottish Rite Cathedral in San Antonio, Texas, is a really cool and historic building. It's located at 308 Avenue E. This amazing building was started in 1922 and finished just two years later, in 1924. It cost about $1.5 million to build, which was a lot of money back then!
This grand building is 5.5 stories tall. It looks like an old Greek or Roman temple, a style called Classical Revival. It's the main place for a group called the Scottish Rite Masons in San Antonio and the South Texas area. They use it for meetings and as their main office. But it's not just for them! Many people also use the building for concerts, plays, and other fun cultural events.
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What Makes the Cathedral Special?
The Scottish Rite Cathedral has many interesting parts that make it stand out. Its design is very detailed and beautiful.
Amazing Architecture
The building's front has a special roof shape called a gabled front portico. It also features tall, fancy columns known as Corinthian columns. These columns have detailed tops that look like leaves. There's also a decorative strip called a frieze made of terracotta, which is a type of baked clay.
The Famous Bronze Doors
One of the most famous parts of the building is its front doors. These doors are made of bronze and have amazing sculptures on them. The sculptures show two very important historical figures: George Washington, who was the first president of the United States, and Sam Houston, a key leader in Texas history.
A talented artist named Pompeo Coppini created these sculptures. He was also a member of the Scottish Rite group in San Antonio. In 1936, the doors were officially dedicated. Pompeo Coppini was there as an honored guest and even gave a speech about his work.
A Historic Landmark
Because of its unique architecture and history, the Scottish Rite Cathedral was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1996. This means it's recognized as an important historical site in the United States.
