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Location DB > United States > Texas > Corsicana > Odd Fellow & Rebekah Home For Children
 Name
Odd Fellow & Rebekah Home For Children
 Viewing Options
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 Database Info
created by the ruralexploration kids on 11/21/2004 1:04 AM
last modified by Emperor Wang on 12/24/2016 7:13 PM
 Viewability
Publically Viewable Publically Viewable
This location has been labeled by its creator as Public, and therefore can be viewed by anyone.
 Overview
 Description

 Basic Information
Type: Building
Status: Repurposed
Accessibility: Difficult
Recommendation: check it out if you're nearby
 Physical Information
Address
3508 W 2nd Avenue
Corsicana, Texas
United States
Owner: IOOF
  • See a map of this location
  •  Hazards
     Interesting Features

     Security Measures
  • wooden boarding
  •  Historical Dates
    Built: 1886
    Closed: 1943
     Required Equipment
     Recommended Equipment

     History
    In 17th century England, it was odd to find people organized for the purpose of giving aid to those in need and of pursuing projects for the benefit of all mankind. Those who belonged to such an organization were called "Odd Fellows". Odd Fellows are also known as "The Three Link Fraternity" which stands for Friendship, Love and Truth.

    The Independent Order of Odd Fellows was founded on the North American Continent in Baltimore, Maryland, on April 26, 1819 when Thomas Wildey and four members of the Order from England instituted Washington Lodge No. 1. This lodge received its charter from Manchester Unity of Odd Fellows in England.

    Odd Fellowship became the 1st national fraternity to include both men and women when it adopted the beautiful Rebekah Degree on September 20, 1851. This degree is based on the teachings found in the Holy Bible, and was written by the Honorable Schuyler Colfax who was Vice President of the United States during the period 1868-1873. Odd Fellows and Rebekahs were also the first fraternal organization to establish homes for our senior members and for orphaned children.

    The mandate for Odd Fellows is found on The Sovereign Grand Lodge Seal, "We Command You To Visit The Sick, Relieve The Distressed, Bury The Dead, and Educate The Orphan." This then along with the ideals and precepts of Fraternity and Relief led to the establishment of Homes for the Aged, the Indigent, the Widow and the Orphan. Odd Fellows are governed by the principles of practical wisdom. The strong support the weak, the well nurse the sick, the learned instruct the unlearned and the rich help the poor.


    In 1885, the Grand Lodge of Texas, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, founded the I.O.O.F. Widows and Orphans Home, one of the first fraternal orphanages in the state. Corsicana lodge No. 63 and other local citizens gave 200 acres as a site for the facility. On April 26th, 1886, the cornerstone for the first permanent building was laid. Only one child was residing here in 1891, but enrollment and financial support soon increased.

    The home became a self-contained community with its own independent school district, farm and dairy, power plant, and water supply. Abel Rice Auditorium, built in 1911 when enrollment was over 300, contained a swimming pool and gym, and housed the fine arts department sponsored by the Rebekah Lodges. This institution also served as a home for the aged from 1905 until a separate facility opened in Ennis in 1928.

    After peaking at nearly 400 in the 1920s, enrollment dropped sharply in the 1930s and 1940s. The school closed in 1943, and students began attending Corsicana public schools. Campus buildings were modernized in a 1945 "Reconversion Program". Renamed in 1948, the Odd Fellow and Rebekah Children's Home has provided care for over 5500 persons.


    Some of this info is from a marker on-site. Some of it is from the IOOF's website.
     Media Coverage

     Future Plans
    Plans to renovate the property and convert it into their corporate headquarters in 2009, some work has already been done. http://corsicanada...plans-for-property


    Google Street View on 5-2013 shows building completely remodeled. Sat. Images on 8-8-15 confirm this with numerous cars in the parking lot.
     Stories


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     Photo Galleries
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    Exterior
    Sun, Nov 21st, 2004
    posted by the ruralexploration kids
    18 pictures
     


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     Panoramas

    Front View
    Sun, Nov 21st, 2004
    posted by the ruralexploration kids
     Web Links
    http://www.ioof.org/
     Contribute

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     Moderator Rating
    The moderator rating is a neutral rating of the content quality, photography, and coolness of this location.

    Category Rating
    Photography 7 / 10
    Coolness 7 / 10
    Content Quality 7 / 10
     Validation
    This location's validation is current. It was last validated by Emperor Wang on 12/24/2016 7:14 PM.

     Latest Changes
  • on Dec 24 16 at 19:14, Emperor Wang validated this location
  • on Dec 24 16 at 19:13, Emperor Wang changed the following: Display Name, Notes for Mods
  • on Oct 17 15 at 22:24, Mike Dijital validated this location
  • on Oct 16 15 at 4:05, Peptic Ulcer changed the following: Future Plans
  • on Jul 22 15 at 11:11, Mike Dijital validated this location
  • on Jul 22 15 at 0:17, tiffers changed the following: Status, Accessibility
  • on Jan 20 13 at 17:18, Opheliaism validated this location
  • on Nov 10 12 at 9:03, TexasMike changed the following: Owner, Street Address, Latitude, Longitude, Co-ordinate Accuracy, Future Plans
  • on May 8 05 at 6:38, the ruralexploration kids made this location public
  • on Nov 23 04 at 19:51, the ruralexploration kids updated a gallery picture
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