Pythian Temple, Historic fraternal building in Theater District, Tacoma, United States.
The Pythian Temple is a multi-story building on Broadway in Tacoma, Washington, built for a fraternal order and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The lower floors contain retail spaces, while the upper floors hold meeting rooms and a large hall.
The building was designed in 1906 by architect Frederick Heath for the local Knights of Pythias lodge. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985, recognizing its place in Tacoma's architectural record.
The interior Castle Hall shows ornamental details from the early 1900s with carved woodwork and decorated plaster. These spaces reflect the craftsmanship and traditions of the fraternal order that originally gathered here.
The building currently houses several tenants, including a school and a youth theater group, so access to different floors depends on what is happening that day. Checking ahead before visiting is a good idea since public areas are not always open.
In the 1990s, the upper hall was used as a theater venue where productions such as Inherit the Wind were staged. This came decades after the building stopped functioning as a fraternal lodge, showing how the space took on a second life in the performing arts.
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