Houlton’s Odd Fellows Rockabema Lodge 78: A brief history

Houlton’s Rockabema 78 was instituted 1881. The lodge derived its title from the lake of the same name in Morrow. Some of the first members were ardent fishermen and Rockabema Lake was one of their first haunts for relaxation and to indulge in their favorite sport. What more natural choice could there be when a name for the new lodge came up for selection then to choose the one with pleasant associations.
Fredrick Powers (latter to become Houlton’s first justice on the supreme court of Maine) was the first noble grand of the order.
Liberty Hall was the first meeting place in Houlton. Shortly afterward it moved to the Gray block on Main St. When it burned down, they moved in with the Mason’s Lodge on the top floor of the Putnam & White building. In 1894 they moved to another building downtown which was later known as Day’s Jewelry store. In 1903 they moved to the new Fogg’s building and stayed there for 37 years. 1940 the Fredrick Power’s home on Main St. became available for purchase and was acquired by the lodge for $4,500. That remained the home for the lodge until 2007 when it was sold and they moved in with the Mason’s lodge in market square.
Four times during its history, Houlton’s Rockabema Lodge has been honored by having one of its own members elected to serve in the highest office within the jurisdiction of Maine, as Grand Master; Ira G. Hersey in 1908-09; W.S. Lewin 1921-22; Elmer Curri 1945-46 and Claude Tomilson 1967-68.
Our members are of all different backgrounds, social standings and Christian faiths, and are joined together as a non-religious group. We are committed to doing good works, improving lives, sacrificing if necessary in order to help the unfortunate, visiting the sick, relieving the distressed, burying the dead and educating the orphaned. We believe in God, are faithful to our country and fraternal to our fellow man. We believe that friendship, love and truth are the basic guides to the ultimate destiny of all mankind.
Odd Fellowship was created to band members together to accomplish these goals along with teaching better ways of dealing with life’s situations. It was also created to allow members a time to get away from everyday living and relax, socializing with fellow members.
It is not a religion, although we believe in God, honor the bible, pray and refer to lessons in the bible, to teach principals of morality, social decorum and upright living. We make no attempt to guide our members spiritually or to influence religious convictions, nor do we permit religious discussions in our lodge rooms.
Odd Fellowship’s name itself signifies something different or out of the ordinary. It is “Odd”, because it endeavors to enlighten the mind without taking from the individual any of their rights or privileges. It conforms to law, religion and sound morality without disrupting the rights of the church or that of the courts. It creates a brotherhood and not a division among men. It presents life in all its fullness, through several degrees, so linked together that each one receiving them may broaden their mind an elevate their character.
Some of the good works we contribute to financially are: Oddfellows & Rebekah’s nursing home in Auburn Maine; Camp NEOFA summer camp for kids; nurses scholarship fund, local high school scholarships; library memorial fund; food pantry and urgent needs of private citizens.
The Houlton lodge has a rich history. Here’s hoping it continues to flourish as our Oddfellow order is such a precious and honorable institution.
If you are not now a member of our great fraternity and you feel that our aims and purposes are worthwhile, we extend to you a most sincere and cordial invitation to seriously consider uniting with us. If interested you can begin by contacting any of our members you might know, or calling 532-9375 and ask for Calvin.