Historical Timeline of Odd Fellowship in North America and in St. Louis

December 23,1806 - First Odd Fellow Lodge in the United States-Shakespeare Lodge No.1 of New York City, not officially recognized.

April 26, 1819 -Washington Lodge No. 1 of Baltimore, Maryland-first lodge to be recognized by Odd Fellowship, founded by Thomas Wildly.
 
August 18, 1834 - Travelers Rest Lodge No. 1, first lodge in Missouri to be chartered, meeting in St. Louis.

July 4, 1836 -  First public display of the order, parade in St. Louis.

June 12, 1838 - Wildey Lodge No. 2 of St. Louis, instituted by Past Grand Sire Thomas Wildley. They still meet every Tuesday night at 8:00 PM at 3765 Lintel Blvd. St. Louis, Mo 63108.

June 13, 1838 - Grand Lodge of Missouri instituted by Thomas Wildey. John Dawson, the first Grand Master.

November 23, 1838 - First Constitutions and By-Laws of Grand Lodge of Missouri adopted.

July 26, 1840 - Germania Lodge No. 3 was chartered.

August 29, 1840 - Far West Lodge No. 4 of Boonville, Missouri was chartered.

August 21, 1841 - St. Louis Lodge No. 5 was chartered upon petition of W. S. Stewart and five others.

November 10, 1841 - First Constitution and By-laws of St. Louis Lodge No. 5 are approved.

January 26, 1842 - Grand Lodge of Missouri meeting for the first time in quarterly sessions, having met once a month from its inception.

May 12, 1842 - Dispensation granted to St. Louis Lodge No. 5 by the Grand Lodge of Missouri to initiate a Mr. Millard Mansfield, he being under age.

May 27, 1842 - General Relief Committee established by resolution, 12 1/2 cents per capita.

April 28, 1843 - Grand Lodge of Missouri incorporated by Act of Missouri Legislature.

May 5, 1843 - Lodges subscribe toward the erection of a hall. Wildey Lodge No. 2, $500.00, Germania Lodge No. 3, $300.00, Far West Lodge No. 4, $800.00, St. Louis Lodge No. 5, $250.00. 250 shares of Hall stock authorized for sale at $20.00 a share.

July 28, 1843 - Building committee reported subscription of $1380.00 and purchased from William Glasgow the Northeast corner of 4th and Locust street.

April 26, 1845 - 26th anniversary of Odd Fellowship in America celebrated; corner stone laid for the hall at 4th and Locust street.

1846 - Number 5 met on Main and Olive street over Benoist and Companies Banking House.

October 27, 1846 - The Odd Fellows Hall was dedicated.

1847 - Hall completed at a cost of $19,000.00. Stock owned Travelers Rest No. 1 $1400.00 Wildey No. 2 $1650.00, Germania Lodge No. 3, $600.00, St. Louis Lodge No. 5, $1300.00, Missouri Lodge No. 11, $100.00, St. Louis Degree Lodge No. 1 $350.00, Grand Lodge of Missouri, $11,880.00, individuals $1460.00.

1849 - Number 5's first investment amounted to $10.00 assets-were $13.00.

1855 - First annual session of Grand Lodge of Missouri.

March 31, 1863 - Hall partially destroyed by fire, duplicate charters were issued because of loss to Travelers Rest Lodge No. 1, Wildey Lodge No. 2, Germania Lodge No. 3, St. Louis Lodge No. 5, Missouri Lodge No. 11, Excelsior Lodge No. 18 and Wildey Encampment No. 1.

1864 - A lot owned by the Grand Lodge of Missouri on Seventh street was leased for $125.00.

July 29, 1865 - The hall, a four story structure , was rebuilt from the ruins of the fire at a cost of $26,672.84.

1871 - Fourth and Fifth Degrees were added.

1871 - The lot on the southeast corner of Ninth and Olive was purchased for $63,700.00, fronting on Olive street 127 feet, 6 inches and on Ninth street 86 feet, 8 inches. Presently the Paul Brown Building.

1873 - Odd Fellows Hall association incorporated, capitol stock, 2500 shares, $100.00 par value. Corporators Gerard B. allen, W. f. Gettys, J. C. Nulsen, C. C. Archer, L. M. Lauch, W. H. Thompson.

1873 - Resolution introduced in Grand Lodge to establish a home for widows and orphans.

July 22, 1879 - Henry Doellner, the last surviving charter member died.

1881 - Degrees reduced to four, dropping the fifth degree.

April 9, 1881 - Odd Fellows Hall Company incorporated.
 
1887 - Grand Lodge transferred the property at 4th and Locust to the Odd Fellows Hall company for $80,000.00.

May 21, 1889 - Dedication of the Odd Fellows Building at 9th and Olive.

May 25, 1889 - Number 5 meets for the last time at 4th and Locust.

1891 - Number 5 celebrates its Golden anniversary in the entertainment hall at ninth and Olive, an eight story building, at a cost of $235.00

May 24, 1895 - Dedication of Odd Fellows Home at Liberty, Missouri.

February 14, 1900 - Fire destroyed home at Liberty Missouri.

February 22, 1908 - Number 5's first banquet at Planters Hotel for members only.

November 16, 1918 - Number 5's lodge business was almost interrupted because of an order by City of St. Louis Health Department on account of spanish influenza, only a quorum was present.

April 9, 1921 - Number 5 meets for the first time at 3765 Lindell Blvd. Hudson H. Buegele was Noble Grand.

August 19, 1922 - 81st anniversary of No. 5 celebrated. Past Grand Ambrose Lynn presented the history of the lodge.

February 22, 1941 - 100th anniversary of No. 5 celebrated in the Gold Room Jefferson Hotel. A skit depicting the early days was acted out by members and their wives.

August 21, 1941 - Poem by C. G. Barnwell, named 100 years was read by Brother Barnwell.

December 3, 1995 - 52 members honored at a dinner for those with 40 or more years as a member, ranging from 40 to 70 years.

November 24, 1956 - 6000th meeting celebrated in lodge hall with a cast of members portraying the scene of the organization of No. 5 around the table the Doellner family donated to the lodge at its 5000th meeting.

March 21, 1964 - Testimonial banquet to L. O. Erickson, Recording Secretary of the lodge for more than 50 years, was held at the Coronado Hotel.

July 19, 1964 - Open house dedicating the new remodeled hall at 3765 Lindell Blvd., with more than 200 persons passing through the door in admiration.

July 26, 1964 - Open house for Masonic bodies meeting in our lodge hall.

July 9, 1966 - 6500th meeting.

August 20, 1966 - 125th anniversary celebration, Khorassan Room, Chase Park Plaza Hotel.

November 9, 1985 - Banquet Celebrating 7,500 consecutive meeting at the Clarion Hotel.

August 17, 1991 - 150th anniversary Celebration, Grand Ball Room, Clarion Hotel.

June 10, 1995 - Dinner celebrating 8000 consecutive meetings at lodge hall 3765 Lindell Blvd.

July 10, 2004 - Dinner celebrating 8500 consecutive meetings at lodge hall 3765 Lindell Blvd.