Today in Wheeling History: April 24--The first regular communication of the Grand Lodge of West Virginia, Independent Order of Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F.), commenced at Odd Fellows' Hall in Wheeling, West Virginia, with representatives from twenty-six Lodges in attendance to discuss the state of the organization and conduct important business (1866).
The first regular communication of the Grand Lodge of West Virginia, Independent Order of Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F.), commenced on April 24, 1866, at Odd Fellows' Hall on Fourth Street in Wheeling, West Virginia. The meeting was attended by J. M. Bickel, Most Worshipful Grand Master, Thomas G. Steele, Right Worshipful Grand Secretary, and representatives from twenty-six Lodges throughout the state. In his annual report, the Grand Master invoked God's blessings upon their deliberations and addressed the condition of several disorganized Lodges, noting that dispensations had been granted to twenty-five Lodges. He recommended measures to revive and resuscitate the disorganized Lodges where brothers no longer met. The Grand Master also acknowledged the fraternal kindness of the Grand Master of Virginia, who had made honorable mention of the institution of the Grand Lodge of West Virginia in his last communication. After appointing the usual committees, the Grand Lodge adjourned at 4 o'clock, P. M., with plans to reconvene the following morning at 8:30 to conduct important business.
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F.) has a long and rich history in Wheeling, West Virginia, dating back to 1834 when the Grand Lodge of the United States established Virginius Lodge 3 in the city. In 1847, Wheeling Lodge 59 was chartered, which later became Wheeling Lodge 9 in 1865 when the Grand Lodge of West Virginia was established. The lodge met in the Odd Fellows Building at the corner of 12th and Chapline streets from 1859 to 1925, and the building even served as temporary quarters for Linsly Military Institute cadets from 1863 to 1870.
The Odd Fellows Building housed several businesses on its street level floor, including Henderson's Restaurant in the corner location, owned by lodge member Cambell Henderson, Fahey's Florist in the next space, and the 12th Street News Stand in the final space.
On March 19, 1950, a devastating fire broke out in the Odd Fellows Building, completely destroying the three upper floors and the businesses on the first floor. The lodge temporarily met at the Moose hall until a new building was constructed at the same location, with the first meeting held there in January 1956. Despite facing membership challenges, Wheeling Lodge 9 remains active in the community, participating in various events and fundraisers.
The lodge continues to operate from its location at the corner of 12th and Chapline streets, with the ground floor now occupied by Elle & Jack's restaurant. Previously, the corner space was home to Elby's Restaurant for many years, followed by Lanos and Kraus Delicatessen. The building next to the Odd Fellows Building was also home to Kraus Delicatessen and Gallaher's Candy Store at the time of the fire in 1950.
To learn more: (https://tinyurl.com/45wrhyha) (https://tinyurl.com/3du64a6b) (https://tinyurl.com/5xaf66xd) (https://tinyurl.com/2hktha7d)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling, WV; Wheeling Daily Intelligencer, Google Maps
The first regular communication of the Grand Lodge of West Virginia, Independent Order of Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F.), commenced on April 24, 1866, at Odd Fellows' Hall on Fourth Street in Wheeling, West Virginia. The meeting was attended by J. M. Bickel, Most Worshipful Grand Master, Thomas G. Steele, Right Worshipful Grand Secretary, and representatives from twenty-six Lodges throughout the state. In his annual report, the Grand Master invoked God's blessings upon their deliberations and addressed the condition of several disorganized Lodges, noting that dispensations had been granted to twenty-five Lodges. He recommended measures to revive and resuscitate the disorganized Lodges where brothers no longer met. The Grand Master also acknowledged the fraternal kindness of the Grand Master of Virginia, who had made honorable mention of the institution of the Grand Lodge of West Virginia in his last communication. After appointing the usual committees, the Grand Lodge adjourned at 4 o'clock, P. M., with plans to reconvene the following morning at 8:30 to conduct important business.
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F.) has a long and rich history in Wheeling, West Virginia, dating back to 1834 when the Grand Lodge of the United States established Virginius Lodge 3 in the city. In 1847, Wheeling Lodge 59 was chartered, which later became Wheeling Lodge 9 in 1865 when the Grand Lodge of West Virginia was established. The lodge met in the Odd Fellows Building at the corner of 12th and Chapline streets from 1859 to 1925, and the building even served as temporary quarters for Linsly Military Institute cadets from 1863 to 1870.
The Odd Fellows Building housed several businesses on its street level floor, including Henderson's Restaurant in the corner location, owned by lodge member Cambell Henderson, Fahey's Florist in the next space, and the 12th Street News Stand in the final space.
On March 19, 1950, a devastating fire broke out in the Odd Fellows Building, completely destroying the three upper floors and the businesses on the first floor. The lodge temporarily met at the Moose hall until a new building was constructed at the same location, with the first meeting held there in January 1956. Despite facing membership challenges, Wheeling Lodge 9 remains active in the community, participating in various events and fundraisers.
The lodge continues to operate from its location at the corner of 12th and Chapline streets, with the ground floor now occupied by Elle & Jack's restaurant. Previously, the corner space was home to Elby's Restaurant for many years, followed by Lanos and Kraus Delicatessen. The building next to the Odd Fellows Building was also home to Kraus Delicatessen and Gallaher's Candy Store at the time of the fire in 1950.
To learn more: (https://tinyurl.com/45wrhyha) (https://tinyurl.com/3du64a6b) (https://tinyurl.com/5xaf66xd) (https://tinyurl.com/2hktha7d)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling, WV; Wheeling Daily Intelligencer, Google Maps
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