The lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Gypsum, after a December 15,1990, late night fire. According to Fire Chief, Dave Vroman, the blaze was traced to a furnace recently installed. First Lutheran Church of Gypsum and Mount of the Holy Cross Lutheran Church of Vail took over ownership of the structure in 1989. Members were remodeling the structure to convert it into a parish hall.
"Last week's fire destoyed 88 years of history in downtown Gypsum. The IOOF Hall was constructed in 1902, the same year the charter was written for Crown Lodge 146 of the IOOF. In 1921, Gypsum's Rebekah Lodge was chartered.
In their more active days, the two lodges held weekly meetings and sponsored community events such as a Thanksgiving Day dance, an annual smorgasbord, public card parties and square dances.
During its history, the lodge housed various businesses including three grocery stores, a warehouse, theater, railroad office, preschool, dentist's office and a U.S. Post Office. At one time, Eagle County High School basketball games were played in the building's second story.
The building has been vacant for a number of years and taxes and heating costs for the structure began to burden the dwindling membership of the lodge. Members were excited about the church's remodeling efforts." -- Eagle Valley Enterprise, Dec. 20, 1990, p,8.
