Restaurant Description
In 1872, an internationally prominent actor and a physician, who was also a highly skilled juggler and magician decided to design a "playground" for Masonry. This organization, as yet unnamed, became the Mystic Shrine of North America. That famous actor, Billy Florence, and the respected physician, Dr. Walter M. Flemming, a 33 degree Scottish Rite Mason, were brought together by their mutual quest for an organization of eligible Masons which would be interesting, impressive, and where good fellowship would be the watchword. Dr. Flemming delegated the creation of the Shrine ritual to Billy Florence because of his theatrical talents, both technical and promotional. Borrowing from experience obtained while in Europe, as well as many mystical and legendary traditions from several Arabic countries, Noble-to-be Florence created the Shrine ritual, much as we see it today. After several years of preparation, a meeting was held in the Masonic Hall in New York for the purpose of organizing the first Shrine Temple in the United States. Dr. Flemming proposed that "Mecca" be the name of the Temple. From that beginning over 120 years ago, the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine has grown to be one of the greatest fraternal and charitable organizations in history.
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