Omaha daily bee., 1893-11-19
odd Fellows, New Home.

The pioneer lodge of Nebraska of the In
dependent Order of Odd Fellows is Omaha
lodge NO. 3, and it IS erecting a lasting
monument to its stability, enterprise and
prosperity, that is credltable both to the
city and the order.
For a number of years this lodge has been
the possessor of a large interest in the prop
erty situated at Fourteenth ana Dodge
streets and known as Odd Fellows hall.
This interest the lodge retains. In addition
it is the sole owner of the lot adjoining Ode
Fellows hall on the north and the Dellonc
hotel on the south.
AS the membership Of the order in this
city has increased year by year and new
lodges have sprung into existence the men,
bers OF No. 2 conceived the idea of a mag
nifcent Odd Fellows hall that would eclipse
In grandeur, beauty and convenience all such
In the midwest With this idea in view
committees were named aud all the prelim-
mary steps necessary to carry out such an
enterprise were perfected.
AS quickly rs possible after the preliml-
nary steps had been taken plans and specifi-
cations for the construction and reconstruc-
tion of the building on the site were APP
proved, the necessary funds provided and
The following members were chosen to carry
put the construction of the temple of Odd
Fellowship: John Ii. Flanagan, G. B.
Brownlee and w. II. Green. With charac-
%teristic enterprise these gentlemen took
hold Of matters and pushed them rapidly.
A large force of mechanics and worSingmen
soon demolished the portions of the building
occupying the site that 1t was intended
should be reconstructed. This was some six
weeks ago, and in the time intervening with
that and the present the three-story struc-
ture is nearly inclosed. IL is expected that
the exterior work will be completed uithln
three weeks at the farthest. II will require
until the latter days of January or first days
Of February TO complete the building entire
for occupancy. The building will stand three
stories high and basement. 1t will be con-
trimmings of stone. Particular attention
has been given to stability of construction
and the foundation and walls Will stand the
storms OF ages, so says Building Inspector
lilly. In size the building will be 44x66 feet.
The frontage of forty-four feet, on Four.
teenth street, will be quite attractive in
architectural design.
Particular attention has been paid to the
interior construction ana arrangement OF
the building for the purposes 1T was origin.
ally intended. Tho basement is high and
well arranged. Here are located the boilers
that will provide the steam heat. The first
or ground floor, Is divided into two tirst-class
storerooms. The two upper floors are to be
arranged and exclusively devoted to lodge
purposes. On the second floor, in the rear
will be located the dining room, 24x40 feet in
size. Here, also, will be an elegantly APP
pointed culinary department. The from
half of this story will be apportioned L
ladies' and gentlemen's parlors. From this
floor the third VIII be gained by means Of
stairway located in the southeast corner
Here will pc the main lodge room. 1t will b,
40x50 feet in size with a ceiling nineteen anC
one-halt feet high. In the center of tai
room win arise a dome from the ceilin,
which will be fourteen feet across. Thi
room, as those on the other floors, will b.
finished in white oak.
Already the plans for the interior arrange
ments and decorations Of the two uppe
floors have been agreed 10, as have those TO
furnishing the same. The full splendor an,
beauty of the lodge rooms can better an
more fully be appreciated when thrown ope
10 the 2l5 members of Omaha lodge, who's
enterprise and 81, goo have made possibl
the consummation Of the dream for an iaea
home for Ode Fellows in this city.