I.O.O.F. Centennial Building, commercial building in Alpena, Michigan
The I.O.O.F. Centennial Building is a three-story brick structure in Alpena, Michigan, situated on a triangular corner lot where three streets meet. Its distinctive wedge shape, resembling a flatiron, rises from a strong stone foundation and features ornate brickwork with carved decorative details throughout.
The building was constructed in 1876 for Samuel Hitchcock, an early settler of Alpena, following a major city fire in 1870 that had destroyed wooden structures. The Odd Fellows acquired the property in 1901 and used it as their lodge for nearly 70 years, with an expansion in 1903 adding the eastern wing and distinctive entrance.
This building served as a gathering place for the Odd Fellows, a fraternal group dedicated to community service and mutual aid. The third floor functioned as their lodge room, designed with private entrances and coded access points that reflected the group's emphasis on discretion and brotherhood.
The building sits centrally in downtown Alpena and is easily accessible and visible from multiple sides. Its unusual triangular lot and distinctive wedge shape make it simple to locate and identify as you walk through the area.
The building was constructed following a devastating city fire, built to comply with new fire safety codes that prohibited wooden structures. This practical necessity resulted in an architecturally notable flatiron design that continues to define the cityscape today.
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