The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-06-27
EIGHT-STORY BLOCK
ODD FELLOW LODGES HAVE PUR-
CHASED GROUND FOR A BUILDING.
To BE at the Corner of Delaware and
Wabash Streets-PrOgress OF
the Project.

The erection Of a new eight-story building
may be begun in this city during the sum-
mer. If the building is erected it will be
at the corner of Delaware ard Wabash
streets. just north OF Tomlinson Hall. The
ground on this corner, with a frontage of
eighty feet on Delaware street and a depth
OF 165 feet on Wabash street, is owned by
three lodges Of Odd Fellows. The lodges
which own the ground are Center, No. 13.
Philoxenian, No. A, and Capital, No. 12i.
They purchased the ground jointly some
time ago with a view to joining in the
erection OF large building upon it to be
used for lodge purposes as we'll as general
office and business uses. They have sue
ceeded in acquiring clear title to the
ground, and all of them confident
of the project that they felt warranted in
ordering plans and Specifications for the
building to be prepared.
The lodges had raised funds by various
means to such an amount that they felt
they could go ahead with the project and
complete it upon money borrowed for the
purpose. The plans called for eight
story building constructed of rough stone.
The corner on Wabash and Delaware
streets was to be surmounted by small
tower. The Odd Fellows proposed to build
such a building as would be a. credit to
their order and to the city and one that
would prove to be profitable investment.
giving them ample return for the invest
ment of their money. The cost of the
building alone was to be $4,000. The
ground has already been entirely paid for
by funds raised by the three lodges named.
Two Of them are still ready and anxious
to go ahead with the project and let the
contract for the building Immediately. The
other has shown signs of wavering, and at
a recent meeting failed to vote in favor of
going on with the project. The two lodges
that favor the building are waiting to see
what the ultimate action of the other will
be in regard to going ahead with the work
Inc question Is TO come up again in the
lodge at its next meeting, and If 1t should
then decide to rescind its former action
contract can be let. If the lodge should
adhere to it's former vote and decide not TO
enter the project the two lodges will likely
make Ii proposition for the purchase of
its interest in the ground and go ahead
with the building themselves If the build
and another demonstration of the fact that
the order never does things by halves
The first floor will be arranged for store
rooms. They will be well lighted and ven
tilated, as will the entire building, and
built upon modern ideas. Above the first
all the modern conveniences.
Above these, on the sixth floor will be
literary clubs, and be adapted especially
to the use of such clubs. Above this, on
the seventh floor, will be the social rooms
for use by the lodges. These rooms will
be arranged for purely social purposes.
On this floor will be the libraries, etc. The
top floor will be occupied by the lodge
rooms. Rapid elevators will be placed in
the building and every modern appliance
for convenience and comfort will be pro-
vided. Back of the storerooms on the first
floor. opening. on to Wabash street will
be a swimming bath extending the full
width of the building, sixty-five feet, and
fitted up with all the appliances to be
found in such places, and with depth of
water ranging from a few feet to twenty
feet. The bath will have attendants at
all hours. A gymnasium may also be
added on the first floor. 1t has not been
fully determined to put in a gymnasium,
but if one is placed in the building. like
everything else within it, it will be sup
piled with all the appliances needed to
make 1t first-cass.