Postcard of the Murat Temple in Indianapolis, at 502 N. New Jersey St. This building was opened in 1910. According to its website, While we don't know why the name was chosen, our name was the first to not have Arabic origin. The founders chose the name of the son of an innkeeper in France who left theological studies at the outbreak of the French Revolution. His name was Joachim Murat (Mur-ah) and he became a general serving Napoleon in Italy and Egypt. He was so good he was proclaimed the king of Naples in 1808. In the Nubian Desert, there is also an oasis called Bir Murat the general visited often to refresh his soldiers. The Shriners still own this, but it is now known as the Old National Centre, an entertainment and event venue.