Rogers City in Presque Isle County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Erskine Building / Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) Lodge

Historic Site No. 7

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 23, 2018

1. Erskine Building / Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) Lodge Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

This two-story building was constructed in 1885 by brothers James and Ed Erskine. They ran a general store on the ground floor and lived upstairs. Over the years, it has also been a dry goods store, saloon, and clothing store. The photo shows the building in 1933.

For many years, the upstairs served as the meeting rooms for the local lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) and their women's auxiliary, the Rebekahs. Active in Rogers City until the 1960's, to belong you had to believe in a “Supreme Being” and “be faithful to your country.” The key-shaped IOOF sign is still attached to the front of the second floor of the building, but it has been painted over.

The Presque Isle County Historical Museum provided sign text and images. A Vibrant Small Cities Initiative (VSCI) grant from MSHDA and the City of Rogers City funded this project. The City Council and Community Development Authority jointly obtained the VSCI grant. The Design Committee developed the concept. Sign design and engineering by Harry Wierenga of Fleis and VandenBrink Engineering. Valley City Sign manufactured

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the signs in 2010. The Department of Public Works installed the signs in 2011.

Erected 2011 by City of Rogers City & Vibrant Small Cities Initiative (VSCI) grant from MSHDA. (Marker Number 7.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1885.

Location. 45° 25.248′ N, 83° 49.051′ W. Marker is in Rogers City, Michigan, in Presque Isle County. Marker is on North 3rd Street (Alternate U.S. 23) south of West Huron Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Marker is mounted at eye-level, directly on the subject building, left of the main front entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 245 North 3rd Street, Rogers City MI 49779, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Presque Isle County Bank (within shouting distance of this marker); Herman Hoeft & Son's General Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Presque Isle County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Frederick Denny Larke General Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of Presque Isle County Savings Bank (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Rogers City Post Office

Marker detail: 1933 photo of building image. Click for full size.

2. Marker detail: 1933 photo of building

(about 300 feet away); Site of Frederick Denny Larke Home (about 400 feet away); Emergency Steering Wheel (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rogers City.

Regarding Erskine Building / Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) Lodge. Building is currently occupied by a retail clothing store.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Rogers City Historic Walking Tour

Erskine Building / Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) Lodge Marker (<i>wide view; marker at left</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 23, 2018

3. Erskine Building / Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) Lodge Marker (wide view; marker at left)

Erskine Building / Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) Lodge (<i>key-shaped IOOF sign visible 2nd story</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 23, 2018

4. Erskine Building / Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) Lodge (key-shaped IOOF sign visible 2nd story)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 24, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 23, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 732 times since then and 87 times this year. Last updated on September 29, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 25, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.