Photos of the original building early 1900's courtesy of the Austin History Center. The oldest photo at far left (viewed from Lavaca) shows the building's dilapidated condition before restorations beginning in 1912. The center photo was taken on 18th Street (formerly West Chestnut). The photo at far right is taken from the corner of 18th and Lavaca.
    

Historic building built in 1869 began life as a German opera house

The Turnverein (athletic club) was introduced to the U.S. by German political refugees who were ardent practitioners of the gymnastic system established in 1811. The clubs built spacious halls that functioned as centers of 19th century community life housing gymnasiums, bowling alleys, ballrooms, theatres, and saloons. Most turnvereins also had benevolent, intellectual and social goals, caring for the needy, establishing schools, and providing entertainment. Turners (as they were later called) organized elaborate Fourth of July celebrations, made their parks and facilities available to the public, and founded some of the first volunteer fire departments.

The original structure at 18th and Lavaca was built in 1869 as an opera house by German immigrants. Completed in 1871, the native Texas Limestone building seated 400 and hosted 4,000 in a surrounding beer garden. Later dubbed “Turner Hall” the venue was heavily booked for dances, concerts, amateur theatricals and operas. The Saengerrunde Singers (singers in the round) were founded in the Turner and later moved down the hill in 1879 to the new Scholz's Beer Garden. As a star struck suitor to an opera singer (later to become his wife), O. Henry spent many leisure hours at the Turner.

When Millet's Opera House (now the Austin Club) opened on 9th street in 1878, its downtown location and enhanced seating made it a more popular entertainment center. Turner events declined and eventually Turner Hall succumbed to neglect and public disinterest.

Enter the Masons of Texas, founded in 1837 by Sam Houston, Anson Jones, Mirabeau B. Lamar, and other notable Republic figures. As frontier educators, the Masons provided public classrooms in their meeting places throughout Texas. This tradition of service to youth continues today through a network of hospitals, learning centers, and academic scholarship awards.

In 1910, the Scottish Rite Masons and the Ben Hur Shrine purchased Turner Hall and began renovations, restoring historic details as modern improvements were made. The old raked (slanted) stage was replaced, and a maple-planked auditorium floor was installed. The stage was re-rigged with a 19th Century wooden-arbor, cable guided counterweight system designed to reveal scenic drops hand painted in 1882 by M.C. Lilly Company, Ohio. The theatre purchased this now priceless art in 1900 and it has hung here since. Many of these stunning drops are now used for weddings, Scottish Rite events, and in our theatrical productions.

Today Scottish Rite Theatre’s doors are open to the public, welcoming all to enjoy quality productions in Austin's oldest surviving theatre.