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Historic Homes
Historic Home Detail | 531
Historic Name
International Order of Oddfellows bldg.
Address
229-33 N 2nd Avenue
Upland, CA
Evaluation
Building
5/10/2007
Construction Date
1901
Current Owner
Euclid Lodqe No 68 IOOF
Current Owner Address
229-33 n 2nd ave
Upland, CA
Description
The Oddfellows Building is a two and three-story commercial
building whose original design was influenced by the popular
vernacular interpretation of the Renaissance Revival style.
Remnants of that style still remain on the altered structure. Of
brick construction, the building is two stories at the front and
three stories at the rear, facing an alley. The focal point of
the facade, now that the corbeled cornice and central parapet
have been removed, is two pairs of double-hung sash windows, each
pair set beneath a large arch. Stuccoing of the facade has
hidden the original details, which included soldier bricks around
the arches, label moldings, and honeycomb patterned spandrels.
Similarly, the articulated brick detailing of the frieze between
stories has been covered. The transoms which spans the lower
facade can be discerned but is covered by a corrugated material.
Built for the Euclid Lodge No 68 of the International Order of
Oddfellows in 1901, this building was at the center of Upland's
social life for many years. Moreover, it played an important
role on Second Avenue, the City's principal commercial street.
The property was acquired by the Oddfellows from the Magnolia
Land and Water Company in 1900-01 and the building erected
shortly thereafter, one of the earlier brick structures on the
street. At first the building covered about half the lot;
extensions to the rear were made between 1907 and 1912, and again
between 1912 and 1928. For many years the downstairs tenant was
the Mehl Hardware Company. It was organized around 1907 by John
C. Mehl and his son Ernest C. Mehl. Later Mehl senior, son J.W.
and son-in-law Phillips joined the company. In 1924 E.C. Mehl
was City Clerk and listed at 229 Second Avenue.
A recessed storefront is shaded by a horizontal canopy, a
replacement of the cloth awning shown in old photographs.
Occupying all but the north end of the street footage, the
storefront is largely original, with a central glazed door topped
by a transom window. Angled display windows have been reglazed.
The entry to the upstairs meeting hall is located at the north
end of the facade, and, although altered, retains the transom
over the canopy. Chiseled letters set between the window arches
identify the building with the "I.O.O.F." It and a date "1901,"
formerly in the raised parapet, is now centered at the roofline.
The building is in fair to good condition.
The Oddfellows met weekly in the hall upstairs. They shared the
space with the Upland Lodge No. 419, the Upland Chapter No. 346
of the Order of the Eastern Star, the Daughters of Rebekah Silver
Link Lodge No. 254, the Modern Woodmen of America Camp No. 9097,
and the Royal Neighbors Orange Camp No. 4146. For many years the
space was one of the few public meeting halls in town. Despite
its alterations the Oddfellows Building remains an impressive
presence on Second Avenue. It is still owned by Euclid Lodge No.
68.