History
The Kansas City Scottish Rite was originally established in 1887 resided in a variety of locations until assuming the construction of the grand building on the site of their current residence at Linwood and Paseo Boulevard in 1928, officially taking residence in the present Kansas City Scottish Rite building in December 1930.

Building the Temple
The Kansas City Scottish Rite Facility, including most of the interior, is of classic Greek design of the Ionic Order. The architecture of the structure was inspired by the ancient mausoleum at Halicarnassus in Caria (now part of the Republic of Turkey). That temple was constructed to house the mortal remains of Mausolus by his widow Artemesia. Most of the decoration of the main cornice was duplicated; the major change being that the figures of the warriors which adorned the original have been replaced by double eagles.

The building contains a total of 32 columns, ten on each side and twelve across the front. Two large, 10' x 4' sculptured Sphinxes dominate the front of the building. These objects of art are carved in two pieces, being joined back of the hood.

Two tripod Grecian urns are mounted above and behind the Sphinxes sculpted by Kansas City sculptor, Jørgen Christian Dreyer. All doors and windows have ornamental grilles on the outside.

The building has 114,303 square feet of floor space with an auditorium measuring 102' x 112' and seats 1,400 people. The entrance vestibules are decorated with bronze grille work set in Pavonazzo marble. Ceilings have designs in vivid Blue, Red, Black, and Gold.

The main foyer floor is comprised of Kasota Belguim, Tennessee and Verde antique marble. There are three large bronze Scottish Rite emblems embedded in the floor. The foyer walls are made of Silverdale stone. The foyer ceiling beams are raised grain oak, stained and antiqued with designs in Blue, Black, and Gold. Large bronze chandeliers and torchiers provide lighting. Leather doors and doorheads complete the setting.

The Lounge, Library and Conference Room are all paneled in walnut and embellished with hand carved insignia. Office areas are trimmed in mahogany. The dining room, which seats 600, has three large stained glass panels which depict liturgy of the Rite. Border and ornaments are reproductions of true Gothic Scroll work designed by monks of the Cathedral building era.