Zembo Shrine Building facts for kids
The Zembo Shrine Building, also known as the Zembo Mosque, is a Masonic building located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. It is significant architecturally as an example of Moorish Revival architecture. The edifice was built in 1928, and opened in 1930.
The building was to be sold in 2018 to TempleLive LLC. The initial asking price was $950,000. According to news reports, the building was sold by the Zembo Shriners in order to facilitate the organization's mission of raising money for 22 children's hospitals. At the time of the proposed sale, Lance Beaty, the president of Beaty Capital Group (parent company of TempleLive) stated that the new owners "look[ed] forward to preserving this wonderful structure for future generations to enjoy. However, that sale fell through when the Beaty Group was unable to integrate the venue with other regional performing arts establishments.
Sporting events
The Harrisburg Senators, a basketball team, played there during 1947−1951.
Gilles Poisson wrestled for the World Wide Wrestling Federation as Louis Cyr there, defeating Mike Paidousis on January 30, 1976. Between 1964 and 1983, the World Wide Wrestling Federation and its successor the World Wrestling Federation ran at least 112 events which such notable performers as Arnold Skaaland, Bruno Sammartino, Killer Kowalski, Ernie Ladd, Lou Albano, Jimmy Snuka, The Wild Samoans, Rocky Johnson, and Hulk Hogan, among other notable stars of the era.
