September 11, 2012

The Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, more commonly known as the Shriners, is a fraternal organization that has been referred to as a “playground for Masons.” Arkansas has two chapters of the Shriners: Sahara Temple in Pine Bluff (Jefferson County), founded in 1889; and Scimitar Temple in Little Rock (Pulaski County), founded in 1904. In 1925, the Scimitar Shrine purchased about 400 acres south of Little Rock, near East End, fencing 300 acres and Pine Lake. With rock taken from Pinnacle Mountain, they built a new country club featuring an eighteen-hole golf course. The Shrine Country Club, pictured here, served as one of Little Rock’s favorite entertainment destinations through 1937.