Ohio has had a history of community involvement with civic and fraternal organizations since 1790, the year that the first Masonic lodge in the Northwest Territory was established in Marietta (and which is still going strong). In the last two hundred years, such organizations have blossomed across the state, and in addition to the Masons and other fraternal orders, many Ohioans are involved in Eagles, Elks, Moose and associated clubs.

The Independent Order of Odd Fellows is a direct descendant of similar fraternal lodges existing in 18th century England. With a goal “To Improve and Elevate the Character of Man,” the IOOF was the first national fraternity to include both men and women, according to the website of the Sovereign Grand Lodge. Without question, the Odd Fellows movement, and its counterpart for women, the Rebekahs, enjoyed many decades of strength and prosperity in Ohio.

As proof of the large number of Odd Fellows and Rebekahs chapters in the Buckeye State, you need look no further than the outstanding collection of Odd Fellows buildings which still line Main Street in many Ohio communities, large and small. Waymarking.com has a collection of photographs of IOOF buildings taken across the country. Out of some 82 pictures, a full 20 are from Ohio – from Put-in-Bay in Lake Erie to Amelia, outside Cincinnati. The site is an interesting look at a slice of Ohio history that is rapidly disappearing. To access the Odd Fellows photographs, click here.

Photo: IOOF Building, Galion - Preservation Ohio File Photo