Independent Order of Odd Fellows Mariposa Lodge No. 39

Mariposa County History by Tom Phillips continues with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Mariposa Lodge No. 39.

Mariposa Lodge No. 39 was established on May 21st, 1855 by a charter granted from the Grand Lodge of California. The names of Jordan Gilham, Edward C. Bell, John C. Hopper, O.L. Gibson, George W. Watts and Wm. H. Leeper appear on the original Charter.

The first Lodge meetings were held at the Concert Hall in Mariposa but by 1858 a two story wooden Lodge hall was constructed on Main Street. The Lodge meetings were held on the upper hall and the lower floor was rented to various businesses to finance the works of the Lodge. John C. Fremont who was the owner of the Las Mariposas Land Grant, which encompassed Mariposa donated the property to the Lodge November 9th, 1858. The Mariposa Star and John Higman’s Store were some of the earlier businesses that rented from the lodge. The order continued to grow from 34 members in 1855 to 85 members in 1866. Continues:
Independent Order of Odd Fellows Mariposa Lodge No. 39