Patriotic Order Sons of America Washington Camp 422
Also known as: Women's Society of Christian Service Hall
Why it's listed
Built in 1904 as a meeting hall for Washington Camp 422 of the Patriotic Order Sons of America, this two-story frame building stands at the junction of State Route 191 and Osborn Road in rural Dreher Township, Wayne County. The camp had met for fifteen years in the upper floor of a general store before members purchased ground and raised their own hall. The building holds an open meeting room on the first floor and a large second-floor hall with a peephole in its doors, used to check the identity of members. The camp hosted oyster dinners, organized Memorial Day and Columbus Day ceremonies, distributed flags to schools, and fielded a brass band that performed at community events. Later owners, including a Methodist women's society and church congregations, continued community dinners and gatherings. The hall is regarded as a significant reference for rural social life in the early twentieth century, with its form and use largely intact.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the hall has been the focal point of community activity in this rural township for its whole existence, and that it reflects the social life of rural fraternal organizations during the period 1904-1946. Its use and appearance are described as largely unchanged, and it is the only Wayne County POS of A building the camp built and owned itself.
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 10001068, listed December 28, 2010. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 465 S Sterling Rd, Dreher Township |
|---|---|
| County | Wayne County |
| Listed | December 28, 2010 |
| Reference number | 10001068 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1904-1946 |
| Architectural style | No Style |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Used by the Greene-Dreher Historical Society as a meeting hall and artifact display since 2006. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.27512, -75.33155 (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.
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 10001068.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q15265692
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.