MOOSE LODGE 100 YEARS OLD

There’s an organization in downtown Albion that is celebrating its’ 100th anniversary and is now into its 101st year. It is a fraternal organization which we feel is worth noting in this column. The Albion Lodge No. 406 of the Loyal Order of the Moose (LOOM) was organized here in November 1910. The Albion Chapter No. 144 of the Women of Mooseheart Legion was organized in January, 1913.

The first Moose lodge hall was first located on the 3rd floor of 200 S. Superior St. (Lots of steps to walk up) This is the building which today houses the Subway Sandwich shop. In the 1920s the Moose moved to the 2nd floor at 108 ½ W. Porter St., in the old Commercial Hotel building. They first appear listed there in the 1926 Albion City Directory. Later in the 20th century the lodge moved downstairs to the first floor where they have resided for many years, snug as a bug in a rug. Right now the city is trying to woo the Moose to move out so they can tear down the building as part of the so-called Porter St. Development, but not until they find the Moose a new home.

In October, 1942 the Moose burned its mortgage (on purpose, too!). With that action, the Moose was the only fraternal organization in Albion at the time which owned its own building free and clear of any indebtedness. What a good example for everyone.

From our Historical Notebook this week we present a photo of the 1912 Moose banquet held in their hall. As you can see, the room is well decorated, and food fills the table. I have list of names of those who attended that event, but have only identified two persons in this photo so far. Standing in the far back are the waiters; the second person from the right end and wearing a dark vest, is Clyde Decker. On the far left first row in the foreground, the second person from the right is Clarence Blodgett.

In looking through this list, some of the names at that banquet included: Ben, Emil, Dick, George, and Otto Hahn, Charles Darling, Albert Schwer, Herbert Beilfuss, A. Mollica, Dick Hahn, Dick Holtz, "Red" Cole, Arthur Sleeper, Dr. George Hafford, Emil Goll, Alex Adams, Everett Seekell, Jack Fiss, Julius Kline, August Tetsloff, and others. Again, congratulations Moose on your 100th anniversary!

	Frank Passic — Albion Historian An Albion native and 1971 graduate of Albion High School, Frank Passic has been researching and writing Albion history since 1976. He is the creator of the Albion Historical Notebook, with hundreds of articles appearing weekly in the Morning Star and The Recorder. Frank maintains an extensive personal archive including Riverside Cemetery records, family surname files, genealogies, photographs, city directories, and high school yearbooks. Support his 2026 research at the Historic Albion Michigan Facebook page. Historical Notebook \| From the Archives \| Subject List \| 100 Years Ago \| Alphabetical Index \| Frank Passic Home Page \| Albion History Books \| Contact Frank
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