This Mississippi Department of Archives and History marker is located outside the Temple Theater at the intersection of 8th Street and 24th Avenue in downtown Meridian, Mississippi.

The GPS Location of this marker is: N 32° 21.897′ W 88° 42.131′

Mississippi Department of Archives & History marker outside the Temple Theater, Meridian, Mississippi.
Mississippi Department of Archives & History marker outside the Temple Theater, Meridian, Mississippi.

The marker reads:

“TEMPLE THEATER – Erected 1923-27 by the Hamasa Shriners in Moorish Revival style, this theater was among the finest movie/vaudeville “palaces” of its day, having one of the largest stage facilities in the United States.”

The Temple Theater has been placed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.. See the designation nomination form here [note: PDF]

The photos below show the Temple Theater and the decorative work above the main entrance.

The Temple Theatre, Meridian, Mississippi.
The Temple Theater, Meridian, Mississippi. Built in 1923-1927 by the Hamasa Shriners.
Architectural detail at the entrance to the Temple Theater, Meridian, Mississippi. Note the Shriners emblem at the top of the arch.
Architectural detail at the entrance to the Temple Theater, Meridian, Mississippi. Note the Shriners emblem at the top of the arch.

For blues fans, the Temple Theater also has a connection to Jimmie Rodgers, who is known to have performed here. Jimmie Rodgers‘ funeral was held at the Temple Theater in 1933.

Here are some websites with more information on the Temple Theater:

The author of the Preservation In Mississippi blog has listed the Temple Theater among his list of 101 Mississippi Places To See Before You Die.

Here are some videos from the Temple Theater, about the Temple Theater:

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