On September 27, 1879 the Big Valley Lodge No. 286 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows was instituted. It should be noted that in the summer a handful of Odd Fellows under the direction of Clinton “Doc” Philliber constructed the two-story hall in Bieber. It was completed on August 1, 1879.  On August 16, 1879, the Odd Fellows, even though not officially organized leased the first floor to the Brownell Brothers-Don Carlos, DeWitt and Duane-who opened a general merchandise store on the premise.

On Saturday, September 28, 1929, the Bieber Lodge celebrated its fiftieth anniversary in style. It was a truly community event. At noon there were was a picnic and reception. In the evening the lodge was packed to capacity by resident and visiting members. There was a special guest of honor-D.R. Brownell from Umatilla, Oregon. Brownell who was the only living charter member and just so happened the lodge’s first noble grand. That evening he presided over the meeting.

Tim