HISTORY OF ODD FELLOWS LODGE #116

The Start of Delta, Colorado IOOF Lodge #116

In 1895 there was a scattering of Odd Fellows from various lodges throughout the Delta area. During that winter, by accident or otherwise, they became aware of each other. They met and talked among themselves, and felt a need for a fraternal lodge in Delta, since there were already lodges established in Montrose, Ouray, and Grand Junction.

Anna Dora Theater (Located on 2nd Floor)
- Location of First Lodge #116 Meeting --
Members began to gather together and began to lay plans for the seeking of a chartered lodge in Delta. Throughout the year of 1896 they worked with the Grand Lodge of Colorado and neighboring lodges to secure a charted lodge. On January 15, 1897 the Delta Odd Fellows Lodge #116 was brought into being. The installing officers and members began to arrive by train, horse buggy, walking, and horseback. Approximately 250 people were in attendance to see another dream become a reality in the fraternity of Odd Fellows. The six following members, who worked hard to get the lodge organized, became the charter members of Delta #116. They were J. H. Murphy, John R. Wood, Howard Russell, A. E. Butler, and J. F. Sanders. Brother Charles Mum, Past Grand Master of Crystal Fount Lodge #30 in Ouray, Colorado called the meeting to order. Brother H. P Curt and Ben C. Bowers acted as secretaries. Brother Mum gave a very interesting address, he then read the Grand Charter from C. C. Miller, Grand Master of Colorado, for Delta Lodge #116. The lodge was organized and the following officers were elected and dually installed by Deputy Grand Master D. R. Crosby of Mesa Lodge #58 in Grand Junction, Colorado. Brother Frank Sanders become the first Noble Grand of the lodge, Brother J. L. Murphy was Vice Grand, Brother Ben Bowers was Secretary, and Brother A. E. Butler was treasurer. The ceremonies took place in the new Anna Dora Theater, which was the home of the Lodge at the time. Those who were admitted by Card were Brothers Isaac Ward, Jeff Dillard, Ben C. Bowers, J. B. Kramer, J. R. Snider, J. A. McKinnian, George Stevens, Henry Hamond, J. D. Clark, W. J. Grant, A. H. Rogers, John C. Baker, Walter E. Steele, John Jeffers, and James McCoy. There were 40 applications for initiation presented. Of these, 34 were present at the meeting for initiation. The Initiatory Degree was conferred by Uncompahgre Lodge #34. Mesa Lodge #58 of Grand Junction conferred the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Degree. Officers were appointed and installed into their respective chairs. Thus the first meeting of Delta #116 was closed with 49 new members and goodly number to be initiated next meeting, with more coming in.

Building the Delta Lodge #116 Hall

First Lodge Building
In June 1902 the construction of the Delta Hall began. Brother Joseph Rollins, a trustee, was superintendent of construction. The brick used in the building was made by Odd Fellows under the supervision of Brother Rollins. An estimated 260,000 bricks were used to make the walls. The foundation consisted of 4 layers of stone, and then a 16 inch course of brick up to the first story of stone. The first layer, the batten layer, was 4 feet wide and 2 feet thick. The second layer was 3 feet thick by 2 feet wide. Both the third and fourth layers were 2 feet wide and 2 feet thick. The remainder of the wall was 12 inch brick. The stone was quarried by Odd Fellows, and in fact the whole building was built by Odd Fellow volunteers. The only contract was let to a professional bricklayer, who supervised the brick laying. The building and lots total cost was $16,000, and is located in the center of Delta on Main Street.
They building consisted of a full basement and 2 stories. The first story was rented to 2 stores. The second floor held the lodge room proper, the banquet room, the kitchen, 2 reception rooms, and a robbing room. It was light by electricity and had all the sanitary conveniences. The ceilings were of the new steel pattern, which alone cost $1,500.
The Hall was used by the Odd Fellows until the 1970's. During the 70's the cost of repairs and meeting building codes forced the lodge to sell the building to the City of Delta. The lodge was then homeless until 1996 when the current Hall was purchased.

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