Unraveling the mysteries & misconceptions of Detroit’s famed Masonic Temple

·40 min·3 clips

Is Detroit's legendary Masonic Temple truly haunted, or is it all in your head?

The episode begins with hosts Zach Clark and Annie Scarmazzino introducing their on-location recording inside the Masonic Temple's Lodge Room 5, marking a first for their Spooky J series. They discuss the building's daunting scale and history, which they had avoided covering for years due to its complexity. The hosts highlight the temple's significance as a music venue, citing performances by The Rolling Stones, Prince, Stevie Wonder, and local acts like Griz and The White Stripes. Chief docent Rob Moore gives a two-hour tour, revealing the building has 1,037 rooms, 17 floors, and spans 550,000 square feet. A standout moment is experiencing a 1925 manually operated Otis elevator, which Rob demonstrates with pneumatic gates and a hand crank. The architecture is explored in detail, with styles ranging from neo-Gothic exterior to Corinthian, Tudor, and Venetian Gothic interiors, all hand-carved without modern technology. Rob explains the building's origins, noting the Masons have been in Detroit since 1764 and constructed the temple in the 1920s to accommodate growth. The episode debunks myths, such as the false story that architect George D. Mason committed suicide by jumping from the roof; he actually died naturally at age 91. Another myth involves hidden passageways, which Rob clarifies are functional maintenance tunnels, not secret catacombs. The hosts discuss Jack White's unsolicited donation in the mid-2010s to help pay property taxes, though Rob notes the temple would have survived without it. They examine the temple's adaptive reuse, including roller derby in the drill hall and EDM shows, aligning with its original intent for public use. The haunting question is addressed, with Rob suggesting the building has a 'living energy' rather than paranormal activity, influenced by individual perceptions. The episode concludes by reflecting on the temple's emotional significance and its preservation as a key Detroit landmark, thanks to community efforts and guided tours.

As heard by us

A Detroit landmark story shaped by Masonic lore and Jack White's surprise rescue.

The episode treats Detroit's Masonic Temple as more than a grand old building, placing its Masonic lore, famous names, and civic gravity at the center of the story.

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Why you'd press play

You came for the Masonic Temple; Jack White shows up with the checkbook.

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