The dispensation for the first lodge in British Columbia, was issued by the Grand Lodge of California on the 27th of February, 1864, and was sent to Brother James S. Drummond, who had been the leading spirit among the local Odd Fellows; he was appointed District Deputy Grand Master. The lodge, Victoria #1, was instituted by Brother A. H. Guild, a special deputy, on the 10th of March, 1864. It is believed that this was the first benefit society organized in the province.
Victoria Lodge made fair progress, but was rather too conservative in its ideas to suit its more enthusiastic members, and after a few years, some of them "swarmed" from the old hive. On February 15, 1870, Brother Drummond instituted Columbia Lodge #2 with eight charter members. It commenced with twelve initiates the first night.
published
Revised
Title based on the contents of the fonds
BCAUL control number: BCA-695
Accession no. 74-A-80
The fonds consists of minute books of the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Columbia Lodge No.
2 from 1870 to 1884. Columbia Lodge No. 2 is based
in Victoria, BC.
No access restrictions apply.