International Order of Odd Fellows

"The International Order of Odd Fellows was a secret fraternal organization that engaged in of social and charitable activities. It also offered fraternal insurance programs to assist members and their families in case of an illness or death. It is no accident that the Utah Odd Fellows decided to build in Salt Lake City. Like most 19th-century fraternal organizations in the United States, the Odd Fellows excluded Mormons and Catholics from membership. The largely Protestant and Jewish members of the Utah Odd Fellows felt most comfortable in the emerging non-Mormon enclave at the south end of downtown."

Why am I writing about this you might ask? These "Odd Fellows" did in fact construct a building in Salt Lake City. Still irrelevent? Not quite. This building was put up in 1891. Their current address is 39 Market Street, SLC, UT. By the end of the year (cross your fingers!), their new address will be more like 36 Market Street. No, they are not packing up their office belongings and moving one building over. No, No, No. That would be way too easy. They're taking their building with them! Yes, that's right. This old historic building is moving across the street. Why is this important enough in my life that I would take my dear sweet time to blog about? Well, maybe because MY SAFETY IS AT HAND! This building just so happens to be my neighbor.

Pre-Bricked up and still in use

I work across the street from this building. Everyday, every lunch hour, we sit in our breakroom and stare at this move in the moment. It's seriously the most bizarre thing I've heard of. Moving a building across the street (they'll be right next door to us when this is all over.) The construction folk don't seem very confident from converstaions we've had with them therefore, i'm always worried one morning, our building will be terminated because of the fall of the "historic" building. Blah.

My opinion: Tear it down. You can't do anything real with it, because it's a historic building. AND the government, THE GOVERNMENT, is paying millions of dollars to move it. LAME! This is how our money is being spent. Lovely. I know. I dumb as it is, it's happening and it's kinda cool to watch. So, I'll keep you updated on where is the building now?

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=4238149&autostart=y (Check this out if you don't believe me!)