Egypt Shriners (Tampa, FL)

During the days of the Great War (World War I), Shriners in this area, and the entire state for that matter, belonged to Morocco Temple in Jacksonville, Florida. They attended ceremonials in Jacksonville and maintained a Tampa Morocco Shrine Club. Florida was growing rapidly in those days and more and more Shriners were moving to the Tampa Area.

There were a number of prospective candidates who wanted to become Shriners, but they wanted a Shrine in Tampa. They had been having ceremonies put on by Jacksonville in the old Tampa Bay Casino. H. B. Plant who owned the first railroad brought into Tampa, purchased the property to erect the Tampa Bay Hotel (currently the University of Tampa). He also built the old Tampa Bay Casino, a tiled swimming pool and a theater for entertaining his guests. These buildings were laid out in an old orange and lemon grove previously owned by Doctor Hayden. That property was originally purchased from a citizen named Carter for a canopy wagon and a white horse.

James McCants led the parade to get Egypt Shrine situated in Tampa and to enlist candidates. In June of 1917, disposition was given and a territorial agreement was made with Morocco Temple. The Orlando, Sarasota, Fort Myers and Key West areas were assigned to the new jurisdiction.

In June of 1918, Egypt Temple was formed and Harry Roberts, owner of several Cigar Factories and a Past Potentate from Morocco who lived in Tampa became the Charter Potentate of the fledgling Shrine. The initial Shrine meetings were conducted in a second hand circus tent. The charter ceremonial brought 175 new Shriners into our fold and cost $17,000.00 for entertainment, travel expenses and miscellaneous expenses.

In the early years of Egypt Shrine, they had an annual excursion to Havana, Cuba, which was a world famous party town. What a great time the Nobility must have had on that little pilgrimage.

In 1924 the leaders of Egypt Shrine decided that they needed a more permanent location from where they would operate. After an extensive campaign, enough funds were available to get moving. A building at 402 South Boulevard was purchased from Doctor McRoe and renovated and put to service as Tampa's own Shrine. Later when the need arose, a second building was erected behind the Shrine and was known as the "Barn."

Egypt Shrine sponsored the first Cigar Bowl Football Game in 1947, for the benefit of the Shriners Hospitals. It was a success and continued on for several years before the days of the $1,000,000.00 inducements necessary to get colleges to play in your bowl. The first issue of the SANDS Magazine was produced in 1948 and mailed to all of the Nobles of Egypt Shrine Temple. Anyone knowing of the whereabouts of one of the first issues, please contact the Temple Office, we would like to frame it and mount it on our Wall of Fame. In September of the next year, 1949, Polock Brothers produced our first Shrine Circus which has continued, uninterrupted with different producers since that time.

In 1964, a campaign was initiated to raise funds for a new Shrine to be constructed. The site selected was located in the Town and Country area of Tampa at 4050 Dana Shores Drive. The present Unit Activities Building served as the Shrine from 1967. to 1972 when the Shrine was relocated to the present location.

Membership in a well known fraternal organization recognized for its social and philanthropic activities. The opportunity to develop lasting friendships with men from all walks of life, bound together by their desire to be fraternal brothers.

A variety of social activities available for the entire family, many special interest groups, and units to satisfy individual tastes.

The privilege of being a part of the "World's Greatest Philanthropy," offering Shriners many opportunities to find personal fulfillment and satisfaction through supporting Shriners Hospitals.