ODD FELLOWS AMONG THE BIG TREES

Santa Cruz Weekly Sentinel, April 26, 1879

The I.O.O.F. (Independent Order of Odd Fellows) was one of many fraternal organizations which held picnics at Big Trees Grove. 

The I.O.O.F. is a non-political and non-sectarian international fraternal order that was originally founded in England by the 1700s. The I.O.O.F. became one of the largest fraternal organizations and by 1889 had lodges in every state.
    
Fraternalism became rooted in American history from its founding. But it was the late 19^th century which became known as the “Golden Age of Fraternalism.” In the wake of the Civil War, membership in these type of groups grew dramatically. Community displacement after the Civil War and the rapid pace of industrialization led many people to seek out more social outlets and sources of mutual aid. Though such organizations provided much needed support to communities, early on they were often restricted based upon race, ethnicity, and religion. It is estimated that between 1870 and 1910 as many as 20%-40% of American men were members of a fraternal organization.  

Sources: “The Golden Age of Fraternalism: 1870-1910,” by Harriett W. McBride at http://phoenixmasonry.org/Golden%20Age%20of%20Fraternalism.pdf; Independent Order of Odd Fellows – the Sovereign Grand Lodge, History at https://odd-fellows.org.