Philip L. Johnson *

Illustrious Sir Philip Johnson

Potentate 1950

“Fun is Fifty” was the slogan for Noble Philip L. Johnson in his year as Illustrious Potentate in 1950. A wide variety of special and significant events occured in this year. The Grand Master of Masons in Texas, Arabia’s Noble Albert J. DeLange, addressed the stated meeting in February. Imperial Potentate Harold Lloyd was the guest of honor at the Crippled Children’s Ball in February which was an outstanding success. An Easter Egg parade and revue at the Coliseum attracted more than 1200 children with their parents and friends.

Suez Temple in San Angelo was chartered at the Imperial meetings in Los Angeles, California. The Potentate, Divan, and representatives attended. Noble Hubert McNeill Poteat, of Sudan Temple in New Bern, N. C., was elected Imperial Potentate.

Fort Worth was the scene of the All-State meetings in 1950. Potentate Johnson, the Uniformed Units, and Nobles and ladies made the trip by train. In the competitions: the square dances won first place; the Chanters, Drum & Bugle Corps, and Patrol all won second place trophies.

Due to a change in jurisdictional lines, Victoria Shrine Club, formerly with El Mina Temple in Galveston, was affiliated with Arabia Temple.

A project, looked forward to for over 30 years, was realized on August 17, 1950, when ground was broken, with elaborate ceremonies, in the Medical Center, for the new three-story, 50-bed Arabia Temple Crippled Children’s Clinic.

Arrayed in colorful Arabian uniforms and playing exotic Arabian musical instruments, the Oriental Band, the newest Arabia Temple unit, made their debut at the Fall ceremonial held in October at the Auditorium.

Featuring the World’s greatest display of thrill acts ever assembled, the circus was a tremendous success. Over 4,600 were brought to the show by the Colorado Valley Shrine club.

Two successful ceremonials substantially increased the membership which was over 7,000 members. The Temple had seven units and twelve out-of-town Shrine Clubs.

Activity in the “Fun In Fifty” year, the 35th Anniversary of Arabia Temple, closed with Unit formal dances on every Saturday in December.