Masonic Temple and Scottish Rite Cathedral
Why it's listed
Completed in December 1929 and opened in May 1930, the Masonic Temple and Scottish Rite Cathedral in downtown Scranton is a limestone building designed by Raymond M. Hood after he won a competition held by the Masonic Temple and Scottish Rite Cathedral Association. Its five-story central and southern sections and three-story northern section have a tripartite front, with round-arched entries, carved buttresses, niches and pinnacles, and Masonic symbols in incised bands. The building includes an auditorium, a ballroom and upper-floor ceremonial halls named Flemish, Norman and Tuscan. Its leaded-glass windows and interior of terrazzo, carved wood and ornamental plaster follow a mix of Gothic and Romanesque forms. The building was used by the public as well as by Masons, hosting stage shows, concerts and speakers. Its listing rests on its architectural design rather than its later use, with the nomination describing Hood's Gothic work as the main reason for its importance.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the building is significant as a work of Raymond M. Hood, a prominent 1920s skyscraper architect, and as an example of Neo-Gothic and Romanesque design. It also cites its role as a public performance and social venue in Scranton, where nationally known performers and speakers appeared.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 97001259, listed November 7, 1997. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 416-420 N. Washington Ave., Scranton |
|---|---|
| County | Lackawanna County |
| Listed | November 7, 1997 |
| Reference number | 97001259 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1927-1930 |
| Architect / builder | Hood, Raymond M. (architect) |
| Architectural style | Late 19th and 20th Century Revivals; Late Gothic Revival |
| Criteria |
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| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | National |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.41073, -75.66004 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Religious properties are listed for their architectural or historical significance, not their religious use. Listing is honorary and does not restrict the congregation's use of the building. The federal rehabilitation credit is generally unavailable unless part of the building is income-producing; some state programmes and preservation grants do cover religious buildings. Federal funding or permits trigger Section 106 review.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 97001259.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7438742
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.