The Temple

You may know it as one of the following:

Masonic Temple

Shriners Temple

Salina Innovation Foundation

Or, quite simply, The Temple.

You may not know it at all.

But, Mary Landes has a goal to make sure that everyone who wants to know about the magnificent piece of architecture sitting at 336 S Santa Fe, has the opportunity to learn.

And, the rest, she's hoping will find it by chance.

The Masonic Temple was built in the 1920's, in what was then the southern part of town.

It took 2 years to complete this massive structure, and at the time was a feat of brilliant magnificence.

John Phillips Sousa even played at the dedication in 1927.

6 stories sit above ground level. Covered in historic limestone over top of concrete, windows surround the over 160,000 square feet on all levels. Massive ground to 4th floor pillars support the structure, while 122 hand-hammered copper gargoyles keep watch from the rooftop.

While this entire building was a place for the Masons to hold their meetings, over time it became home to the Shriners, as well.

Recently, the Shriners relocated to the north part of Salina, on Diamond Dr. However, the Masons still occupy the top 2 floors of the building.

However, it's what, or who, that is occupying the floors below that is most intriguing.

Mary Landes founded Salina Innovation Foundation 5 years ago. Her goal is to "save the Masonic Temple, and use it to foster growth in arts, music, culinary, and business."

One way Mary accomplishes this, is by giving tours. Quite simply, if Mary is in the building, she'll show you around. With 4 floors to see, this tour easily takes around 2 hours. But, it's incredibly worth it.

The architecture hasn't been altered in what appears to be decades. The building is on the National Historical List, meaning nothing can be changed without strict guidelines being adhered to.

But, that just means that anyone catching a glimpse gets more history than they were expecting.

As of this article being published, daytime tours are free. You just have to catch Mary in the building.

It's the nighttime tours that cost, but will leave even the most outward nonbelievers looking for daylight.

The Temple offers after dark tours of the facility, giving brave souls who schedule such a thing a chance to witness ghosts that have been known to appear in the building on occasion.

I'm told that these ghosts have an ornery side. They turn lights on, leave theater seats down after enjoying a show, and have even been caught closing or opening doors that were left the exact opposite.

For those who are more interested in the business side of what The Temple can offer you, Salina Innovation Foundation is currently renting out rooms within the building to local small businesses. So far, these include a nail salon and massage therapist, Henna artists, and more within the subfloor of the building. These businesses are best accessed from the north parking lot.

The 2nd floor is open for reservations involving weddings, family gatherings, luncheons, meetings, and more. A large dance floor is available, that can double as a place for tables and chairs.

The attention to detail within this floor is incredible. A charming chandelier hangs from the floor above, while the original woodwork and flooring remain.

Sheer white curtains hang in the gallery for a clean, crisp elegance for any event held within this space.

The 3rd floor is home to the theatre.

An enormous space that once housed plays and dances, has original seating still in place, complete with the shiny red cushions on the folding chairs.

The dance floor still echoes as shoes walk across it.

A disco ball hangs from the ceiling, anxiously waiting a comeback.

The stage is breathtaking. Curtains that can still be lowered and raised aren't just curtains.

It's hand painted scenery on 104 canvas backdrops.

Each tells a story of actors entertaining a century ago, and carry the dust and fingerprints of sets and stage hands attempting to paint a picture for an eager audience.

More recently, this area has been used for large Easter church gatherings, dance recitals, and concerts. Extra seating can be brought in from back stage to fill up the dance floor, should it be needed.

On the 4th floor, we are introduced to hidden rooms and staircases, and find out just how high the outside pillars really go.

Oh, yeah. There's also stain glass windows behind the pillars. Just another piece of awesomeness.

On this floor, Masons would house their "away from home" drinks in boxes that resemble what we would know as PO boxes, or stacked mailboxes. Each cubby has a still assembled lock, and some are open. They leave you wondering just how many "away from home" drinks could be kept hidden.

I'm told that the area was also used as an open bar. Masons of years ago would pull up a chair, prop themselves up on an elbow, and talk about things that today we can only imagine.

2 enormous walk-in safes are also visible on this, the 4th floor.

The 5th and 6th floors are still occupied by the Masons. Out of respect for this great group of people, these floors are kept closed to the public.

A manual elevator is available for use. This is one of those original to the building, that needs an experienced operator, i.e. Mary, standing outside to crank it up. You won't find anything so cool still in operation.

As if that wasn't enough, a basement and sub-basement are underneath all of this.

You read that right. 2 basements. They're used for storage and closed to the public, but take my word for it. They're just as awesome as the rest of this great place.

So, you put all these floors together and you have a building. Salina is full of them.

What makes the Masonic Temple so special?

Mary Landes believes it's the history within the walls.

In fact, that's exactly what the Salina Innovation Foundation is out to preserve.

But, like so many things, that takes what The Temple needs. Money.

The Salina Innovation Foundation is a working non-profit that is doing everything possible to keep this building open to the public, while preserving its century-old perspective.

The Temple was doing okay. Money had been raised to repair the roof, which leaks horribly in a downpour.

Then, COVID-19 hit.

Even after 2020, The Temple still had its head above water, so to speak.

Then, February 2021 brought the worst cold snap we've seen in decades.

Keeping the heat running in a 9-story building in -35° temps for 2 weeks was nearly as impossible as building the place to begin with.

The aftermath is still being felt, in the amount of a $40,000 heating bill.

Still, with all of this, Mary knows that the right people are out there to help bring this building back to modern day magnificence.

That's why she wants to get the word out. About the building, its history, and its perseverance.

For instance, not too many people know that there are open businesses within.

Or, that tours are available.

The gargoyles on the roof can even be rented out. That's how some of the statues have festive hats.

The Temple is also an event venue, both for the Salina Innovation Foundation and anyone looking for space to hold one.

There is also more space for businesses to move in.

A kitchen is set up for entrepreneurs to rent and cook to their culinary heart's desire.

The Temple's Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/salinainnovation/, has a list of their upcoming events. These include an Awesome 80's Halloween Bash on October 30th @ 8pm.

Fear Fest, https://www.facebook.com/712915568896192/posts/1729480883906317/, is coming up on September 24th & 25th.

You can check out The Temple's website, https://www.salinainnovation.com/, to contact anyone on facility rental.

In the meantime, everytime you drive by the Masonic Temple, know that there is so much more to this building than just passing by.