under Construction

According to a local Mason, the IOOF in Irvington preceded the formation of the F&A Masons in Centreville by three months, making us the single oldest lodge in Fremont and vicinity.

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Captain Charles S. Eigenbrodt led the Crusade Lodge and is a local founder of Odd Fellowship throughout the Washington Township area. In 1863 he led the “California Hundred” to bolster Massachusetts volunteers fighting in West Viriginia during the American Civil War. More can be learned about Cpt. Eigenbrodt’s biography from Swenson’s work below.

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The Alvarado Lodge had an important role to social life in the Washington Township area. Frequently the first substantial building in a community was the Odd Fellows Hall. In many instances these buildings, in addition to providing a home for the local lodge, also served as a focal point for most community social activities. The Odd Fellows Hall also served as the site for town meetings, municipal court proceedings and voting places. Most of the state’s early business and political leaders were members of the Order. Frequently the first law and order in gold rush mining camps and much of the medical care, especially in time of epidemics, was supplied by local Odd Fellows.

Partial Source: Sovereign Grand Lodge