One of the most genuine characteristics of the proud Texan is his appreciation of those thing uniquely Texas. No matter the foreign origin or inspiration, when created, gathered or assembled in Texas, it becomes a Texas treasure. The Alamo belonged to everyone at one time or another, but there is no question about it, it is our treasure.
In 1838, Republic of Texas President Mirabeau B. Lamar instructed Brother Edwin Waller, an original signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence, to travel from Houston to a place on the Colorado River called "Waterloo" and survey it with the intention of creating the Capital City of the Republic there. Judge Waller answered the challenge, and few are aware that it was Waller who petitioned the Grand Lodge of the Republic of Texas, itself created only three years earlier by Lamar, Sam Houston, Anson Jones, and Adolphus Sterne, to create a lodge for Masons in the new Capital City while creating the city itself. Masonry was solidly rooted in the Capital in November, 1839, with the 12th charter granted in the Republic to Austin Masonic Lodge #12, which continues today as the largest lodge of Masons in Austin and currently the fourth oldest of remaining "Republic Lodges."
Austin, like many other areas of Central Texas, came to be the home of a large and prosperous German community. In 1868, the Austin Turn Verein was organized. This was a German social group interested in gymnastics, musicals, opera and a variety of theatrical productions.
In 1871 the Turn Verein constructed and dedicated a "modern" opera house on the northern limits of Austin. This native limestone structure was the center of countless 19th century traveling shows and local entertainments, and became known as TURNER HALL (a title spin on the owner's name).
Long before the Millett and Hancock Opera Houses were built downtown (the Paramount came along in the early 20th century), the TURNER not only housed opera and similar performances, but was used as a gymnasium and popular meeting hall, not to mention the decades of being a successful biergarten!
With time and more centralized and elaborate competition developing in the growing city, the TURNER began to fall on harder and leaner days. Finally, in 1910, the Masons of Austin (first the Ben Hur Shriners and ultimately, in 1914, the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry) purchased the distressed property and lovingly turned it into a classic Masonic meeting place.
Recently, the Scottish Rite leadership agreed that the site was so important to the community as both a performance space and historical reminder of wonderful times gone by, it should be shared with Austin audiences. The turn-of-the-century stage rigging and priceless painted scenery (some dating back to the 1880s) are but a few of the attractions that make this not only Austin's major theatrical museum piece, but a practical working Theatre. As you enjoy a performance, feel the presence of "old Austin" in its earliest and greatest moments.
Welcome to the Scottish Rite Theatre!