House of the Temple

In the heart of the nation's capital, stands one of the city's most beautiful monuments. It's been called a marvel of architecture, a wonder in stone, the spirit of the Scottish Rite captured for a moment in time.
The House of the Temple is a Masonic temple which serves as the headquarters of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Southern Jurisdiction, U.S.A. It is located at the corner of 16th Street and S Street in the northwest section of the city. The Temple was modeled after the Mausoleum of Maussollos (a provincial king in the Persian Empire). Ground was broken on May 31, 1911 and the cornerstone was laid on October 18, 1911. The building was dedicated four years later on October 18, 1915. An alcove in the temple holds the remains of Confederate general and noted freemason Albert Pike.