Odd Fellows Block (Afton, Iowa)

The Odd Fellows Block in Afton, Iowa, is a historic commercial building located in the town's central business district. Constructed in the late 19th or early 20th century, it served as a meeting place for the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF), a fraternal organization. These buildings often provided space for lodge meetings on the upper floors, while the ground floor was typically rented out to commercial businesses, providing revenue for the lodge and serving the community. The Odd Fellows Block in Afton would have likely contained retail stores, offices, or other businesses at street level. Architecturally, these blocks can vary, but many feature details characteristic of the period in which they were built, such as decorative brickwork, prominent cornices, and large windows. The Odd Fellows Block represents an important part of the social and commercial history of Afton, reflecting the influence of fraternal organizations in small towns and the evolving nature of rural Main Streets. While details about the specific architectural style or current condition of the Afton Odd Fellows Block require further research, similar structures across the United States are often listed on the National Register of Historic Places or contribute to local historic districts.