While in between my feature articles, I decided to take a
brief tangent to see what was happening in Capitol Hill this week one
hundred years ago. It turns out the
Shriners,
an international fraternity founded in 1870 and associated with
Freemasonry, were having their 41st annual Imperial Council in Seattle.
A whole slew of visiting Shriners were reportedly convinced that the Seattle Shriners had outdone all others in their effort to host the the greatest annual session to date. Most, if not all, local hotels were booked solid--many shriners stayed in parked trains. Meanwhile many local businesses were selling all kinds of outfits and souvenirs. The festivities featured numerous performances, dances, parades, and exotic animals.
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| Volunteer Park circa 1915. Seattle Public Library |
In Capitol Hill, The Seattle Times reports that Volunteer Park was the site of "one of the most noteworthy open air receptions ever tendered in the west" including live music, singing, and a "number of difficult drill sessions" performed by the women of the shrine.
(Original article and additional images below)
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| Two articles from The Seattle Times juxtaposed from left to right, July 14 and 11, 1905. |
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| Seattle Times June 6, 1915 Anticipated need for additional accommodations. |
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| Seattle Times July 9, 1915 Cheasty's Shriners ad |
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| Seattle Times June 11, 1915 Frederick & Nelson Ad |
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| Shriners 2nd Ave Parade July 13, 1915 UW Special Collections |
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Postcard of Shriners 2nd Ave Parade July 13, 1915. via the flickr stream of
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While in between my feature articles, I decided to take a
brief tangent to see what was happening in Capitol Hill this week one
hundred years ago. It turns out the Shriners,
an international fraternity founded in 1870 and associated with
Freemasonry, were having their 41st annual Imperial Council in Seattle. 
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