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We Have Stood the Test of Time
Odd Fellowship Is Ancient
The roots of Odd Fellowship are believed to begin as far back as 587 B.C. in mutual relief groups such as guilds. The oldest documentation of "Odd Fellows" was a mention of Aristarchus Lodge #9 in 1748.
Established in 1819 in the US
Thomas Wildey brought the Odd Fellows to the United States in 1819 dedicated to "Visit the sick, relieve the distress, bury the dead and educate the orphan." This is why you see Odd Fellows cemeteries. orphan homes and housing projects.
And California in 1849
The discovery of gold brought many to California, including several Odd Fellows, who formed California Lodge #1 preceding statehood by one year. Our Lompoc Lodge #248 was established July 12, 1876.
- Our mission is more than just to "visit the sick, relieve the distress, bury the dead and educate the orphan." We do so much more today. What better place to help others?
- Once you are a member, you can propose a project and we can discuss how to do it and even help you with it.
- Of course we already have projects active in the city of Lompoc where we could use an extra hand and get to know you! We're always ready to make a new friend.
What's So Odd About Helping Others?
Like helping others? You’ve come to the right place!
at one time, it was estimated that 20% - 40% of Americans were members of at least one, two or three fraternities!
At the turn of the 20th Century, Odd Fellows was the largest of them all: nearly a million men and women.
Want to be an Odd Fellow? Got Questions?
8 of Many Famous Odd Fellows
Dr. James Parkinson (1755-1824)
The doctor who wrote "An Essay on the Shaking Palsy" (Parkinson's Disease). A Samuel Collins glicee painting from 1789 bears his name alluding to his membership in an Odd Fellows Lodge in London. It was common for a lodge to have professionals like a lawyer or a surgeon.
King william IV (1762-1830)
According to British Oddfellows, the future king had encountered an Oddfellows meeting at the Feathers Pub in Pimlico and insisted on becoming a member and the Noble Grand (leader) of the lodge. He became a lifelong member. (The British say "Oddfellows" as one word.)
Rutherford Hayes (1822-1893)
19th President of the United States and an abolitionist. He fought in the Civil War and was wounded. Historians claim that he restored faith in the presidency as he promised to not seek re-election and became a civil rights advocate.
Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885)
18th President of the United States and Commanding General of the US Army (most senior soldier), served with distinction in the Mexican-American War and led the Army to victory during the Civil War. He also created the Department of Justice and implemented a gold standard.
Lucy Hobbs Taylor (1833-1910)
The first American woman to graduate from dental school and practice as a dentist. She was denied admittance to dental school twice and moved to another state to practice where school was not required. When women were allowed to enroll, she graduated as a doctor in 1866.
William McKinley (1843-1901)
25th President of the United States who led the country to victory in the 100-day Spanish-American war. He did not ask Congress to go to war but they decided to do so. Preferring negotiation, he said, "War should never be entered upon until every agency of peace has failed."
Franklin Roosevelt (1882-1945)
32nd President of the United States and leader in bringing about the Social Security Act he requested to be written and signed into law. Today Social Security provides the kinds of benefits that the Odd Fellows provided for years.
Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962)
First Lady of the United States from 1933-1945 over the course of 4 terms. She also served as the U.S. Delegate to the U.N. General Assembly. President Truman called her "First Lady of the World" for her human rights work.
