Vacaville Lodge #83 Celebrating 150th Anniversary

Vacaville Lodge #83, chartered on March 5, 1859, held its 150^th anniversary celebration on March 3^rd. At that meeting the brothers reflected on their heritage. It was noted that Charter members of the Lodge include some of the first residents and merchants of the town. The Lodge has met in three lodge halls, the first two having been lost to fires in 1877 and 1884. The original charter, and all other original records, was lost in the 1877 fire that destroyed the entire downtown area. The Grand Lodge granted a dispensation and replacement charter in November of that year to allow the brothers to continue their work despite the loss of the original charter. The present brick and cast-iron column building, constructed on the site of the wooden building lost in the 1884 fire, was dedicated in 1889, and the first meeting held there on July 27^th of that year. The Lodge has since counted among its members many local and regional businessmen, contractors, firemen, consultants, politicians, farmers, members of the military, educators, physicians, and tradesmen. The Lodge currently prides itself on the number of young members who will carry on the principles of Odd Fellowship in Vacaville.