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About Medford mail tribune. (Medford, Or.) 1909-1989 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 29, 1963)
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1903 MEDFORD .MAIL TRIBUNE, MEDFORD, OREGON Improvement of Odd Fellows Hall in Gold Hill Being Considered ...... . i ,u moini'il . A wll.knnwn rahlnpt maker. I By MARY KfcXL Mail Tribune Correspondent GOLD HILL A remodeling oroject to improve the Indepen dent Order of Odd Fellows build jig at the corner of Fourth ave. nd Fifth st. in Gold Hill is mder consideration by members jf the lodge and Amethyst Re ekah lodge. - When this familiar old land mark was constructed in 1898, .t was located in the main sec ion of town. Early day busi nesses were established along he main artery. Fourth ave. The two fraternal groups are the oldest active oreanizalinns er a petition had been submitted in Gold Hill. Both lodges have by several residents and husi held meetings continuously since nessmen. J. W. Marksbury, the building was built in 1898. !. I. W. Mastcrson, W. H. Bcidler, Today's members have a deep I). S. Young, and B. T. Adkins feeling for the building, which who asked that a lodge to be has played an important role in known as lOOF 129 be instituted more ways than one during the in Cold Hill, span of 65 years it has served First elective officers were the community. Mastcrson. noble grand; Marks- Instituted In 1895 bury, vice grand; Young, secre- IOOF lodge 129 was instituted lry: Beidlcr, treasurer. April 17, 1895, the same year Prior to ' the time the hall was that the city of Gold Hill be-, build in 1898, the Odd Fellows came an incorporated town. It ' held meetings on the upper floor was nst luted hv W. I. Vawter. " "r r district deputy grandmaster, aft- b ijr f , v v 1 4 I m Abetter lawn this fall-guaranteed! You read it right. Scotts actually guarantee you a heller lawn this fall (or money back!) when you follow this simple three-step program now. 1 ) Slop crabgrass with fast-acting clout. 2) Sow weed free Scotts seed to put new life in your lawn. 3) Supply I he vital nutrition new grass needs to thrive with steady feeding TURF BUILDER. Ask us for the simple details of this proven program, take home the Scotls products you need to complete it and watch your lawn bounce back to beauty. BIG Y FEED & SEED 1948 North Pacific Hwy Phon 773-3160 the Gold Hill Community Mcth odist church is now located, ac cording to William A. Carter, a retired Portland attorney. He is an early member of the IOOF lodge here, and is the only liv ing charter member of Amethyst Rebekah lodge 97. Elected Grand Master Caller was elected grand master of the Independent Or der of Odd Fellows in May. 1900, while he was a resident of Gold Hill. In fact he was one of the leading citizens and busi nessmen at the time, according to early day records. Hope Rebekah lodge 14, Ash land, instituted Amethyst Re bekah lodge 97 Feb. 14, 11198, the same year the front section of the IOOF hall was built. Forty five members were initiated on that date, including several Odd Fellows who took an active part in Ihe membership of Amethyst Rebekah lodge. First elective officers of the Gold Hill Rebekah lodge were Eliza J. Bcidlor, noble grand; Martha Cardwell, viccgrand; May Pendleton and Hattie Sise morc, secretaries; and Mary R. Cridcr, treasurer. The Shekel Brothers, promi nent contractors, made hand molded bricks used in the con struction of the IOOF building. The upper and lower floors of the front section facing Fourth ave. was built in 1898 by the Stickels, who also contracted building of the rear section fac ing the alley between Fourth and Fifth nves. in the early I9IKIS. Sign Over Entrance The IOOF sign over Ihe en trance at Ihe flight of stairs was made by Charles Kcll, a resident of Gold Hill since 1907. Light from this fixture has helped to guide those climbing Ihe stairs since the early 1990s. Mrs. Gwen Stickel Davis, who was five years old when the first section of the building was built, explained the method used by her father, Walter H. Stickel, and his brothers to make the bricks. She said a brick clay was mixed in pits by horse power. Hiinler Stickel fed Ihe pits, Walter H. Stickel put the mixed clay inlo molds for six or rr m- .... fri ferrrJ nfr? M13 till S5H Sifts! .vminment and other material on the upper floor. I Present plans call for reloca tion of the lodge room, banquet ! room, kitchen, and rest rooms' on the first floor of the build-: ing. Thompson said as funds are , available the exterior of the ' building will be modernized, I but no date has been set for completion of the project since ' it will depend on funds avail-1 able. I UnnH made furniture in the lodge room will be moved to the first floor level wncn rc-. modeling is completed. A well-known cabinet maker, Earl Adams, made the furniture 35 to 40 years ago, using Austra lian red gum wood. Symbols on the backs of chairs and the noble grand's station indicates different orders. Many Odd Fellows and Rebe kahs are active in civic, com munity service, and other orga nizations in Gold Hill in addi tion to lodge and church work. Social branches of the Rebckahs here are the Past Noble Grands club and Amethyst Rebekah Friendship club. For Healthy SEPTIC TANKS CESSPOOLS AND DRAINS (MIMICAL 1011111 IN FULOUr IMELHR1 Use SEPIONIC Regularly! Kftpt look walking, eder- h m q ift. Eaiy to ut. Foil, toft, V T harmlrti le plumbing. Cent anlv Sit ma.. .SOO-aol. tank. Monty bock guoronlol 4Tna'mfn1i At Your Orocor or Hardwaro WAITS RKMODIXI.S'G Showing its age aflei 65 years this Independent Order of Odd Fel lows building at Ihe corner of Fourth ave. and Fiflh st. stands wailing for a remodeling job thai is under consideration by Ihe mem bers of IOOF and Amethyst Rebekah lodges nine bricks by hand, and George I Pitt Rebekah lodge 1H7. Forty' Val Stickel and helpers carried ' one candidates were initiated, ... : .j ,,..aja8, in Gold Hill. In 1898 there was a great deal of activity at this corner. The inscription at top of building front has IOOF 1898. Present membership total of the two Gold Hill lodges are Amethyst Rebekah lodge members 75, and Odd Fellows lodge members 3.1. 4x8x'4" Shop $ 96 Veneer T Ea. We also will frame your pictures, furnish and cut your window glass to size. ALUMINUM SCREEN DOORS cKh" 5Q50 Grill U STEWART AVENUE LUMBER Stewart and Columbus-Phone 779-1700 S55T3 molds to sand blocks for drying- An early day resident, Earl Pankey, said men who worked on the hall received about $1.50 wages for an eight or nine hour G. V. Stickel, who was at the time grand marshal, assisted. Building Appears Forelorn Today, with windows broken and boarded up. the once fa- day. Bricks cost about $15 per mous building appears forelorn, thousand. i but in 1898 and many years Original Lodge Room : thereafter much activity ccn- The original lodge room, the , ,""J ' ","'?'J'""",7' V. , . i-il- .- 1 aiae siure was luudii-u in uie T " . ' left lower section of the IOOF in the upper section, overlook ing Fourth ave. In later years, the entire upper floor was con verted to a large lodge room with which this generation is fa miliar, according to Mrs. Davis. The banquet, kitchen, rcstrooms and ladies lounge were then lo cated in the rear section of the structure. Mrs. Davis joined Amethyst Rebekah lodge in 1912. She now resides in Medford, as docs her aunt. Mrs. Maude Stickel, wife, of George Val Stickel. She joined the Gold Hill Rebekah lodge in 1900. In later years she was transferred to Medford Re bekah lodge. In February, 19(17, Maude Stickel, district deputy presi dent was accompanied by the degree staff of Amethyst Rebe kah lodge to Central Point, where they were assisted hy a degree team from the Medford lodge in the institution of Mt. pQ ThOSC ' M 'feTOn'l.ii ririiViiiil.TMPMMWJWMJ- :srd $13(0)95 or Guests . . . ".'l$s. ;.3p---' fj j ff - ' " """ "ii'n ' f Ti nn- ; Sleeps Two Easily ' Reversible fom cushions-nylon fricie Illusion cover with diamond tufted foam back. so by pv-ko y nwht Innerspring mettresi. Other styles nd JMr models to choose from. mm Other Specials y 'n vcry ". r Department FREE .--SwSS Delivery ClSSl iff f-JH 1.V p m , pi'FURNIfURE :, tuw k... Budget livOSPP building and on the right lower section various businesses were established over a period of years until it was obtained for use by the Boy Scouts several years ago. This section has been purchased from the Crater Lake Area of the Boy Scout Council. The entire building is now owned by the Odd Fellows lodge 129, a step brought about through the efforts of A. A. Walker with purchasing money from the building improvement fund. During its span of 85 years, many changes have taken place, and the building now is badly in need of repair. Although Rcbe kahs and Odd Fellows made an effort to keep the. interior paint ed and repairs made during the period both lodges have met there, heavy wind and rain slorms in recent years have caused extensive damage to the interior and roof of the structure. Arc Granted Permission Because of the present condi tion of the building, Rebckahs were granted permission to meet in different homes since December, 1962. Even though the building was damp and cold, because of the leaking roof and water soaked plaster. Odd Fel lows continued In meet in the hall throughout the winter and spring months. Efforts to do something about improving Ihe building were started in January this year when members of Amethyst Re bekah lodge offered In help (he Odd Fellows by raising money so Ihe building could be saved As a result, a building fund committee was named, and the first fund raiser, a fond sale, was given Jan. 2li, I9M, All proceeds were earmarked build ing improvement fund. The committee consists of the hvo noble grands. Martin John son and Mrs. Albert Gascon. Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Thompson, Mr. and Mrs. A. A. Walker, Mrs. Paul Molloy. 11. D. Force and Mrs. Cassie Johnson. Iliiilding Improvement Fund When meetings of the lodges were resumed this month, it was reported thai Ihe building im provement fund had reached the $2,000 mark. During the recess months, members continued lo give benefit dances each Satur day night, and Odd Fellows met at Ihe hall to work in prepara tion for remodeling. The $2,000 has been raised mainly by benefit dances given al the American Legion hall in Central Point. Plans are to con tinue the dances each Saturday. Other events that henefiled Ihe fund were a talent show, din ners, fond sales, box social, and rummage sale. Cash donations have been given hy individuals, many of whom were not mem bers of either group, and other Odd Fellows and Rebekah lodges throughout the state. H. D. Force has urged mem bers not to become discouraged, because it will lake considerable time before the job is done Praised by Cnmmillee Raymond Thompson has been praised by committee members for the many hours he has do nated to the building projoel since it got underway in Janu ary. Thompson anticipates Ihe biggest expense of the program will be the interior because of new wiring, plumbing, and simi lar jobs Preliminary plans lo remodel the building were made recent ly, but removal of the upper story was delayed because of Ihe expense and approach ol winter. A temporary rwl was Installed to protect furniture. NOW! ENJOY THE BEST OF THE CLASSICS! PURUCKEETS r"N I S X N I I v MONDAY W blruu win) s Reg. 3.98 NOW- $2)88 Reg. 4.98 NOW- The LONDON CLASSICS Now you can enjoy the finest in Stereo and Monaural Sound Purucker's brings you ihe greatest in music-The London Classics at "SPECIAL PURCHASE" Savings for you. 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