Odd Fellows Temple
Why it's listed
Built in 1933 at 175 North Los Robles Avenue, this two-story, T-shaped lodge hall in Pasadena serves as the home of the local Odd Fellows. Architect Kenneth Gordon gave it the Spanish Colonial Revival style, with tiled gable roofs, exposed notched rafter ends, smooth stucco walls and a one-story arched loggia across the front. Wrought iron lamps, grilles and railings, along with heavy carved wooden benches, add detail. Inside, the upstairs assembly room has five king post trusses spanning 50 feet, and the downstairs hall has rows of piers carrying blind arches. The interior remains unaltered. The Odd Fellows chapter in Pasadena dates to 1885 and had earlier temples before moving here in 1933. The building is considered significant as the city's only fraternal hall in this style, designed to harmonize with the nearby Civic Center, and as one of the last of Pasadena's well-designed fraternal buildings.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents it as Pasadena's only fraternal example of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, designed to blend with the nearby Civic Center Historic District. It was among the last of the city's high-quality fraternal halls and serves as the local headquarters of an important fraternal organization. Its straightforward style and precise detailing are cited as an outstanding example of the Mediterranean style.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 85001682, listed August 1, 1985. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 175 N. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena |
|---|---|
| County | Los Angeles County |
| Listed | August 1, 1985 |
| Reference number | 85001682 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1900- |
| Architect / builder | Kenneth Gordon |
| Architectural style | Spanish Colonial Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in excellent condition, unaltered and on its original site; occupied and used as a fraternal lodge. |
| Acreage | 0.4 |
| Coordinates | 34.14901, -118.14180 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Religious properties are listed for their architectural or historical significance, not their religious use. Listing is honorary and does not restrict the congregation's use of the building. The federal rehabilitation credit is generally unavailable unless part of the building is income-producing; some state programmes and preservation grants do cover religious buildings. Federal funding or permits trigger Section 106 review.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 85001682.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7077370
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.