Independent Order of Odd Fellows Lodge

In 1878, "Redding Lodge No. 271" was founded with twenty charter members of the International Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF). A fraternal organization, the local Redding chapter of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows grew in membership during the late nineteenth century.

The symbol of the Odd Fellows fraternal organization was a three-linked chain, representing friendship, love, and truth. This symbol originally appeared on the front facade of the two-story Odd Fellows Lodge in Redding. Membership included a commitment to care of the sick, orphaned, widowed, or aged, in addition to offering opportunities for socialization and camaraderie. The top floor was reserved for usage by the local Odd Fellows chapter, while the first floor featured retail stores along the street. A shop called Firth Brothers operated out of this building for fifty years.

In addition, Thompson's Clothing Store, which was established in Redding in 1926, also maintained a storefront in the Odd Fellows Lodge building. This store was in operation for eighty years, making it one of the longest running businesses in the town. After air conditioning was added to the Odd Fellows Lodge in the 1970s, the roof was also removed to create an open air plaza, which gave the building the feel of an outdoor a shopping mall.

The IOOF Lodge was recently purchased by the McConnell Foundation, which has pledged to preserve the historic building. The pitch of the roof, the bricks, and the windows are all original to the structure. The new owners plan to highlight this history of the property as part of the restoration efforts.

"Foundation Purchases Landmark Odd Fellows Hall & Former Bell Rooms", McConnell Foundation. November 20th 2018. Accessed March 15th 2020. https://www.mcconnellfoundation.org/foundation-purchases-landmark-odd-fellows-hall-former-bell-rooms/.

"About Odd Fellowship", Marin Odd Fellows. Accessed March 16th 2020. http://marin-200-ioof.freeservers.com/about.html.