In order to save some of the historic Masonic halls throughout the Midwest, they would begin buying these properties up, restoring them, and making them into live music venues. Subsequently, similar historic Masonic temples were purchased in Cleveland, Ohio, Columbus, Ohio, Wichita, Kansas, and Peoria, Illinois. Meanwhile, one of the catalysts for the catastrophic implosion in mid-sized independent venue ownership in the United States is about to make matters much worse. Live Nation has decided they’re investing some $1 billion in small clubs, mid-sized venues, and larger venues in 18 mid-sized markets across the United States. As new mid-sized venues controlled by big live music corporations are erected, historic ones operated by independent companies are shutting down.