Meadville in Crawford County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The First Fraternal Home

Photographed by Bradley Owen, April 12, 2026

1. The First Fraternal Home Marker

Inscription.
Commemorating the first fraternal home - the oldest in the world
First trustees elected 1871
Charter granted by act of State Legislature 1872
Original building dedicated 1874
Present building dedicated 1926

Conceived for, and dedicated to the care of Odd Fellows and widows and children of the order.

Recognized by the sovereign grand lodge as a shrine of all Odd Fellowship 1940

James A. Hagerman, Grand Sire
Walter H. Klein, Grand Master

Erected 1941.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Fraternal or Sororal Organizations. A significant historical year for this entry is 1871.

Location. 41° 39.06′ N, 80° 8.672′ W. Marker is in Meadville, Pennsylvania, in Crawford County. It is on North Main Street south of Allegheny Street, on the left when traveling north. Marker is located in front of the Oddfellows Building on the campus of Allegheny College. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 406 North Main Street, Meadville PA 16335, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northwestern Pennsylvania

and in Greater Erie. It is also in

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the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Allegheny College (within shouting distance of this marker); Samuel Lord (approx. 0.2 miles away); Brooks Walk (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Allegheny College (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Allegheny College (approx. ¼ mile away); Baldwin House (approx. 0.4 miles away); This House Erected May 1797 (approx. 0.7 miles away); Bishop James M. Thoburn (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Meadville.

Photographed by Bradley Owen, April 12, 2026

2. The First Fraternal Home Marker

The Oddfellows Building is in the background.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 14, 2026, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 13 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 14, 2026, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.