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Vintage Postcards of Indiana Health FacilitiesThe first building for the International Order of Odd Fellows Home in Greensburg, Indiana was erected on May 16, 1900, with a second completed on May 17, 1905. Together, they could accommodate as many as 250 indigent adults and orphans, and its hospital could handle 28 patients at a time. The land, a gift of the Decatur I.O.O.F. Lodge No. 103 and the citizens of Greensburg, Indiana, consisted of 135 acres. Eventually, the site grew to encompass 490 acres. In 1905, a huge stone-and-granite fountain was constructed with $1,200 donated from Odd Fellow lodges and chapters throughout the state. When completed, it was filled with fish and the orphan children were allowed to play in its waters. By 1914, operating expenses for the institution, including administration and maintenance, amounted to $29,141.42. This included an average cost per meal of 18 cents. In June of 1915, there were 150 residents: 32 boys, 9 girls, 69 men, and 40 women. Their ages ranged from 2 to 92 years. During the Great Depression, Walter Easley, owner of two theaters in Greensburg, gave movie passes to the Home%u2019s students%u2014if they had completed their school work. At Christmas, the children put on a special holiday program for the other residents. Whenever a resident died, even the young ones were required to attend the funeral. The home was self-sustaining, with its own powerhouse providing both hot water and steam heat. There were also cows that required milking each morning and evening. Their milk was then pasteurized, put into bottles, and capped. Both the bottles and caps were inscribed, %u201cI.O.O.F. Home, Greensburg, Ind.%u201d and they are collectable today. To feed the livestock, many acres of corn were farmed. There were also apple and peach orchards to provide fruit for the kitchen.I.O.O.F. Home%u2014%u2014Greensburg, Indiana%u2014%u2014Established 1900The Independent Order of Odd Fellows was founded in 1819, and was the first fraternity in the United States toinclude both men and women when it adopted the %u201cBeautiful Rebekah Degree%u201d on September 20, 1851.Homes and Orphanages