Historic Property #2: 467 Main Street; Placerville IOOF (Odd Fellows) Lodge

Year Built: 1913

Architect: Unknown

Builder: Philias Cote

Architectural Style: Renaissance Revival

While not located within the Bedford Avenue-Clay Street Historic District, many of the district’s prominent citizens were dedicated members of Morning Star Lodge #20, instituted in 1854. Initially meeting in a rented hall, the Lodge became a cornerstone of Placerville’s fraternal life. Its commitment to the community is evidenced by its involvement in establishing the Placerville Union Cemetery in 1871.

Placerville IOOF Lodge, circa 1913.

In 1859, the Lodge constructed its own building, which served the community for 50 years until it was tragically lost in a fire originating at the adjacent County Courthouse in 1910. Undeterred, Morning Star Lodge #20, joined by the Franklin Lodge, rebuilt. The cornerstone for their new three-story edifice was laid in 1911, a ceremony marked by the placement of a time capsule containing local historical documents, artifacts, and gold dust mined on the site, reflecting the area’s rich history.

In fact, the Odd Fellows mined the entire foundational area of their parcel while preparing to rebuild and extracted a decent amount of gold, which helped fund the reconstruction. Later that year, the completed building was dedicated. This structure, designed in the Romanesque Revival style, stands adjacent to other buildings along Main Street, presenting a dignified facade. Elements of the Romanesque Revival style include rounded arches, a defining feature used prominently in windows, doorways, and arcades, as well as massive forms exhibiting a sense of weight and solidity, with thick walls and substantial masonry.

The building features a rectangular, two-story design with a basement, and a front constructed of dressed granite blocks, transported by train from Rocklin. The medium gable roof and minimal exterior trim accentuate the solidity of the design. Notably, the granite blocks form a pyramidal design along the top edge of the building. The second-floor front is distinguished by three blind arcades, or semi-circular fascias, each with a prominent keystone. A blind arcade is a decorative architectural feature consisting of a series of arches applied to the surface of a solid wall, serving as a visual element without providing actual openings or structural support.

The central arcade displays the letters “IOOF,” “Morning,” “No. 2011, 111911,” and a star, along with the three chain links symbolizing the Odd Fellows, representing “Friendship, Love, Truth.” Double-hung windows with stained glass side panels adorn each fascia. The ground floor showcases a mix of rectangular and arch-topped windows, a double door leading to the basement, and another to the upper floor stairwell, offset to the left. A stone at the stairwell entrance bears the recessed block letters “1185911,” marking the year the Independent Order of Odd Fellows was first established in Placerville. The ground floor was designed to accommodate commercial tenants to generate cash flow for the maintenance of the building.

For years, the Arcade Bakery and a Placerville grocer occupied the first floor, and several other businesses followed over the ensuing decades. On the interior second level, the building features a unique spring floor, designed for dances. This building served as a vital hub for numerous fraternal organizations in Placerville, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose. In 1984, the Lodge commemorated its 130th anniversary, celebrating its enduring legacy with a historical reenactment and recounting the Lodge’s long and storied history within the region. The building stands as a testament to the resilience and community spirit of Placerville’s early fraternal organizations.