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The Road to Mecca: 1923

Reviewing stands set up for the Shriners Convention of June 1923, which hosted a quarter-million delegates from lodges and temples across the United States in Washington for a week of parades along Pennsylvania Avenue, strung with thousands of lights and rechristened the "Road to Mecca" at a time when interest in fraternal organizations was at its peak. Harris & Ewing photo. View full size.

Reviewing stands set up for the Shriners Convention of June 1923, which hosted a quarter-million delegates from lodges and temples across the United States in Washington for a week of parades along Pennsylvania Avenue, strung with thousands of lights and rechristened the "Road to Mecca" at a time when interest in fraternal organizations was at its peak. Harris & Ewing photo. View full size.

 

On Shorpy:
Today’s Top 5

Wouldn't want to be hit by one of those cars

Think of the protruding fenders, exposed radiators (dozens of sharp aluminum fins), ornate radiator caps, lack of safety glass, etc. Winston Churchill was famously hit by a car in New York in the 1920s and suffered for it for months.

Wires! Lights! A billboard on the Apex Building!

The National Capital Planning Commission would have collective apoplexy. Given the city's ban on overhead wiring back then, I guess even the wooden poles were temporary. Must have been some Masons in high places.

View of this intersection today

Better Be Careful Than Crippled

Truly, words to live by. Although that's not such a PC way to express it today.

Better Be Careful...

Street sign:
"Better Be Careful Than Crippled."

Priceless, and succinct!

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