In this episode of the Your Town Podcast, the hosts discuss the history and strange discoveries associated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. They explore the origins of the organization, its services and benefits, and its decline in popularity. They also delve into the unsettling findings of human remains in former Odd Fellows lodges and speculate on the reasons behind their acquisition. The episode concludes with a reflection on the ideal Odd Fellows lodge and a call for listener suggestions for future episodes.Takeaways
- The Independent Order of Odd Fellows originated in 18th century England as a guild for individuals who did odd jobs and did not fit into established trade guilds.
- The Odd Fellows provided a range of services and benefits to their members, including health care, pension plans, and retirement communities.
- The popularity of the Odd Fellows declined in post-World War II America due to the availability of government-sponsored social safety nets.
- Several former Odd Fellows lodges have been found to contain human remains, which were likely acquired for ritualistic purposes.
- An ideal Odd Fellows lodge promotes fellowship, philanthropy, and positive contributions to the community.
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