Independent Order of Oddfellows, Dayton Lodge No. 273
Why it's listed
Built in 1911 at 8 LaBelle Street, this three-and-a-half-story pressed brick lodge served Dayton Lodge No. 273 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. It is about a mile east of downtown, at a major entrance to the St. Anne's Hill neighborhood of mid-to-late nineteenth-century homes, and is the largest building there apart from the churches. The facade combines limestone and rustic sandstone foundations, buff and red brick, medallions, a segmented arched entrance and a slate hipped roof with a sheet metal cornice. Inside, the second floor holds a theatre with a three-sided balcony, and the entrance has mosaic floors. The lodge was the group's first permanent home and a center for aid to sick members, burial assistance, ceremonies, concerts and social gatherings. Membership declined from the late 1930s, and the lodge disbanded in 1982. The building is now vacant and suffering from water damage and neglect.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is significant under Criterion A for the social and humanitarian role of fraternal organizations in the neighborhood before modern social welfare programs. It is significant under Criterion C for Second Renaissance Revival influences such as the rusticated raised basement, geometric medallions, segmented arched entrance and string courses. Its neighborhood location and large scale also add to its importance.
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 84000109, listed October 25, 1984. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 8 LaBelle St., Dayton |
|---|---|
| County | Montgomery County |
| Listed | October 25, 1984 |
| Reference number | 84000109 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1900- |
| Architect / builder | Peters, Herman and Brown |
| Architectural style | Second Renaissance Revival (with Romanesque features noted on the facade) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as vacant and deteriorated; the lodge disbanded in 1982. Water damage has harmed interior plaster and wood flooring, and windows and doors are deteriorated, though the structure was not yet affected. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 39.75857, -84.18431 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
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 84000109.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.