The Scottish Rite of Freemasons organized in El Paso in 1883 and met in rented rooms until this temple was constructed. Dallas architects Hubbell and Greene designed a confident yet restrained Classical Revival building that pays tribute to the Pan American Union Building in Washington, D.C. (1910, Paul P. Cret and Albert Kelsey). A central portal of three tall arches framed with Ionic pilasters is bracketed by tower-like end bays. Masonic symbols in small roundels on the arched transoms are also restrained; the exceptions are two large, polychrome sphinxes that guard the gentle but monumental staircase at the N. Santa Fe Street entrance.