ODD FELLOWS IN FALMOUTH 

Odd Fellowship in Falmouth began in 1849 with the chartering of Suckanessett Lodge #135.  The records on this lodge are lacking.  It apparently surrendered its charter in the late 1800’s. The tombstones of some of its members are evident in Oak Grove Cemetery.

Later, a group of men dedicated to the principles of Friendship, Love, and Truth desired to revive Odd Fellowship in the town.  James B. Barnes Lodge #10 was duly instituted on February 23, 1920, under the leadership of Karl A. Bohaker, Noble Grand, and Benjamin F. Berry, Vice Grand.

The Lodge is named for James B. Barnes, the father of Odd Fellowship in Massachusetts.  Bro. Barnes was an Odd Fellow in England, but found no formal organization in Massachusetts when he arrived in 1817.  After meeting informally with a few other immigrant Odd Fellows from 1818-1820, they became sufficient in numbers so as to organize Massachusetts Lodge #1 in Boston in March 1820.  Bro. Barnes was the first Noble Grand of that Lodge.

 The Odd Fellows Hall in Falmouth is an interesting and historical building.  It was built in 1856 as District School #3, commonly known as the town grammar school.  The first schoolmaster was Benjamin R. Gifford of Woods Hole.  At this time, the school fronted on Main Street near the present insurance office. By the 1890’s, there were sufficient students so that the intermediate grades (3-5) were held downstairs and the grammar school grades (6-8) were upstairs.  Katharine Lee Bates, Falmouth resident and author of “America the Beautiful”, attended school in this building.  The primary grades (1-2) were held in a nearby smaller building which was later moved to Queen’s Byway.  At the end of the 19th century, these facilities became inadequate and a larger building (demolished in the 1960’s) was constructed in 1904 to replace the small district school.  The old school was moved 200 feet to its present position and turned around so that the columned facade faced Main Street and sold at public auction to Augustus Lawrence.  It was then leased for 30 years by the Improved Order of Red Men, and known locally as Red Men’s Hall.  Then about 1938, it was again sold and used as an antique shop until September 1956.  James B. Barnes Lodge then purchased and refurbished it, retiring the mortgage in May 1967. 

 The Odd Fellows Lodge met on the second and fourth Fridays of each month at 8:00 P.M., until January 2005, when James B. Barnes Lodge surrendered its Charter and consolidated with Cape Cod Lodge #226 of Hyannis. 

James B. Barnes Lodge last met in its Lodge Hall on November 12, 2004.  The Hall was sold to the Town of Falmouth in December 2004.  The last meeting of the Lodge was held at the home of Bro. Cardoza on January 7, 2005 and consolidation took place at the Lodge Hall of Cape Cod Lodge on January 13, 2005.  The elected officers of James B. Barnes Lodge at the time of consolidation were:  William F. Burdick, P.G.M., Noble Grand; Walter J. Johnson, P.G.M., Vice Grand; Clayton W. Collins, Jr., P.G., Treasurer; and James E. Cardoza, P.G., Secretary.

 Researched and Written by James Cardoza