Overview

This building is an example of an early Independent Order of Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F.) lodge. 

• Location: 404 West Broadway
• Neighborhood: Hawthorne

Guidelines

See design guidelines

Historic profile

This building is an example of an early Independent Order of Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F.) lodge. The I.O.O.F. began in England as a fraternal organization dedicated to mutual support. The Order moved to the United States in 1819, and to what is now known as Minnesota in 1848. This lodge was built in 1897. Memberships in fraternal organizations like I.O.O.F. were very common around this time.

The Odd Fellows were pioneers in social welfare. They provided important benefits to their members and families including:

• Retirement homes
• Orphanages
• Payment for medical services or hospitalization
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Life insurance policies

These services were notable because government support was limited. There was no unemployment insurance, worker’s compensation, or Social Security at that time. 

In 1851, the I.O.O.F. became the first fraternal organization to allow women to participate alongside their husbands. This eventually led to the formation of Rebekah Lodges in 1867, which were lodges for women members. The I.O.O.F. did not allow non-white members until the early 1970s.

This building was the home to Hennepin Lodge #4 and Hiawatha Rebekah Lodge #2 until 1975. It was sold in 1979 and became the Vietnam Hong Kong International grocery store. Kemps, the dairy company, has owned it since 2013.

West Broadway is an important thoroughfare in north Minneapolis. It had a streetcar line, which spurred commercial and residential development. Some of the early brick buildings, like this one, remain. Others have been lost and replaced with newer development.