Independent Order of Odd Fellows Hall

Client: City of Gonzales

Site: Gonzales, California

The Odd Fellows Hall, located on the main street of Gonzales, California, is one of the community’s most important public buildings. As is true in many small communities, the Odd Fellows and their hall were the center of the town social life in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The city of Gonzales recently purchased the building from the Odd Fellows, intending to use the original front half as the City Council Chambers, and to use the rear half, a later addition, as a senior center. The original Odd Fellows Hall was nominated to the Nation Register of Historic Places in preparation for the grant application, and was subsequently listed on the Register. The Collaborative also prepared a Historic Structure Report along with plans and specifications for the renovation of the historic portion of the building. The renovation not only preserved the exterior features, but since the historically significant interior features, including both original spaces and original finishes.