The American Odd Fellows - Birthed in Baltimore

Cornerstone, 300 Cathedral St.

  There is a beautifully architected, enormous yet rather externally unadorned, dark red brick building situated on the northwest corner of 300 Cathedral and Saratoga Streets that apparently is “Now Open” for business, presumably luxury apartments.  To look at its imposing grandeur with massive chimneys, one would be hard pressed to determine exactly what was its intended purpose – was it a business? a mansion or residence?   The historical answer can be found on the cornerstone, shown left, which gives a subtle clue “I.O.O.F. 1891 – 1831.”

  As it turns out, George Bunnecke & Son built it according to designs by a talented Baltimore architect, Frank E. Davis and dedicated on April 26, 1892 as the Grand “Temple” Lodge of a rather interesting fraternal organization known as the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, I.O.O.F. According to the “History of American Odd Fellowship, the First Decade,” the I.O.O.F. owes some of its roots to its English predecessor, The Ancient Order of the Society of Odd Fellows, begun in London in the 17^th century. 

The Seven Stars Tavern, Second St., 1819

  Its birth in the United States, however, resulted after a few men responded to an ad in the Baltimore American newspaper by an outgoing blacksmith Thomas Wildley and two friends who similarly missed the fraternal companionship. The ad announced the meeting which would be at 7pm on April 2, 1819 at the Seven Stars Tavern located on the south side of Second Street (now Water Street), between Frederick St. and what was then called Market Place, basically where Baltimore City Community College now stands.

Colvin's Stone Tavern, c1823

  On April 26, 1819, they instituted the American Odd Fellows at Washington Lodge No. 1 in a house at South Frederick St and elected Wildley as their Noble Grand. In February 1820, admittance was granted by decree into the Independent Order of Odd Fellowship in England.

  Disgruntled members, members desiring office, and lack of funds withdrew to form a new lodge Franklin Lodge, No. 2.  The Grand Lodge of Maryland and the United States recognized them on Sep 5, 1821.  Columbia Lodge, No. 3 was instituted on 17 Dec 1823 at Colvin’s Stone Tavern.  No further increases in the number of lodges until 31 Jan 1827 when the William Tell Lodge, No. 4 (with authority to conduct business in the German language) was formed.  

300 Cathedral St, Architectural Sketch, c1891

  The Grand Lodge moved on April 26, 1831 to Bridge (now Gay) Street where it remained until being demolished and the moving to the Cathedral Street location in 1892.  This Grand Lodge located at 300 Cathedral Street was built with six Barstow Furnaces and a 100ft basement to roof elevator supplied by electricity which was the first of its kind in the city.  Leading from the Cathedral Street entrance is a magnificent 26ft wide stairway made of oak and ash carved with I.O.O.F and emblems of the Order upon it.

  The first floor Library is 81x61 feet and has room for up to 25,000 volumes of books.  Within it is a “Lovers' Grotto,” which was no doubt popular but contained founders’ relics.  Other rooms on this floor are those of the Grand Secretary and the Grand Master’s room.

I.O.O.F., Baltimore, c1931

  The American Odd Fellows Founder died at the age of 80 in 1861 - there were 42 jurisdictions and 200,000 members at that time.  His gravesite resides in Greenmount Cemetary and a monument was dedicated four years later in his name.  At one time, General Ulysses S. Grant and Schuyler Colfax were members. U.S. peak membership was reached in the 1950s but the I.O.O.F. continues as a worldwide fraternity for men and women dedicated to making the world a better place through fraternal friendship, charitable love and the pursuit of truth in all their dealings.  They believe that through true fraternity we can build a better world.  An interesting YouTube video can be checked out from this link.

(Source: "Official Programme and Souvenir, I.O.O.F. Dedication of New Temple")