There was no fanfare when the Fraternal Order of Eagles was founded on February 6, 1898. The organization was formed by six theater owners sitting on a pile of lumber in Moran's shipyard in Seattle. They were competitors who had come together to discuss a musicians strike. After deciding how to handle the strike, they agreed to "bury the hatchet" and form an organization dubbed, "The Order of Good Things."
Early meetings were held on local theater stages and after taking care of business, attendees rolled out a keg of beer and enjoyed social time. As numbers grew, participants selected the Bald Eagle as the official emblem and changed the name to "The Fraternal Order of Eagles." In April 1898, the membership formed a Grand Aerie, secured a charter and developed a constitution and by-laws, with John Cort elected the Eagles' first president.
Touring theater troupes are credited with much of the Eagles' rapid growth. Most early members were actors, stagehands and playwrights who as they toured, carried the Eagles story across the United States and Canada.
Unparalleled Growth The Eagles' popularity grew because their concept of brotherhood was so unique. The organization's success is also attributed to its sick and funeral benefits (no Eagle was ever buried in a Potter's Field), the provision of an aerie physician and many other benefits.
Responsibility to Its Members As the Eagles grew, so did the organization's responsibilities to its members. Frank Hering, recognized as the "father" of Mother's Day, took the by-laws and customized them for the Eagles. He and other early members led the organization through difficult days at the turn of the century and built the solid foundation upon which the Eagles still rest.
Over the years, the Eagles have continued to meet member needs by fighting and winning many battles, with the results a Workman's Compensation Act, Mother's Day, old age pensions, Social Security laws and "Jobs After 40." The Eagles are still fighting to liberalize social benefits while battling life-threatening diseases through their sponsorships.
People Helping People The Eagles claim many great social and political leaders on their rolls — from Theodore Roosevelt to Ronald Reagan. Harry S. Truman often reiterated that the Eagles was his type of organization — funded by and for the common man.
Today, the Eagles continue to strive to make the world a better place. We are proud, caring "people helping people" who understand that the needs of many will always outweigh the needs of a few.
The Logansport Eagles was the 323rd Aerie charted by the National Grand Aerie. The Eagles have always been located at Sixth and North Streets. The original two- -story building occupied by our organization was razed and replaced in 1954 by the building at the corner of Sixth and North in which we are now located.
The lighted sign on the corner of our building has been a trademark in Logansport since 1954. It was donated by the Coca-Cola bottling company which at the time had a bottling facility just across the street on Sixth Street northeast of our building. The location is now a parking lot. Since becoming a part of Logansport our organization grew to well over 1,500 members and has sponsored many local activities.
For many years the Eagles was very well known in the local softball and baseball community with sponsorships in both. We also hosted for many years the Firefighter of the Year program. We've played host to many state bowling tournaments. Many local and area bands got their start from playing at the Eagles. A tradition at the Eagles has been live bands on weekends, and in the past we've hosted many adult and teen dances.
Our organization as time passed fell on the same hard times as many clubs and organizations in the country, and we were forced to close our doors for a short time in 2005. We actually sold our building during those tough economic times. But, a very dedicated group of Eagles members (both men and women) got together and put the organization back together enough that we were not only able to purchase our building back, but continue to offer entertainment on a pretty regular basis. We currently operate without a charter and are under the direction of an agent of the National Eagles. All of our officers and trustees are currently appointed by the agent.
Currently the organization is operated on an all-volunteer basis as we continue to attempt to entice our former members back as well as attract new members.
Early meetings were held on local theater stages and after taking care of business, attendees rolled out a keg of beer and enjoyed social time. As numbers grew, participants selected the Bald Eagle as the official emblem and changed the name to "The Fraternal Order of Eagles." In April 1898, the membership formed a Grand Aerie, secured a charter and developed a constitution and by-laws, with John Cort elected the Eagles' first president.
Touring theater troupes are credited with much of the Eagles' rapid growth. Most early members were actors, stagehands and playwrights who as they toured, carried the Eagles story across the United States and Canada.
Unparalleled Growth The Eagles' popularity grew because their concept of brotherhood was so unique. The organization's success is also attributed to its sick and funeral benefits (no Eagle was ever buried in a Potter's Field), the provision of an aerie physician and many other benefits.
Responsibility to Its Members As the Eagles grew, so did the organization's responsibilities to its members. Frank Hering, recognized as the "father" of Mother's Day, took the by-laws and customized them for the Eagles. He and other early members led the organization through difficult days at the turn of the century and built the solid foundation upon which the Eagles still rest.
Over the years, the Eagles have continued to meet member needs by fighting and winning many battles, with the results a Workman's Compensation Act, Mother's Day, old age pensions, Social Security laws and "Jobs After 40." The Eagles are still fighting to liberalize social benefits while battling life-threatening diseases through their sponsorships.
People Helping People The Eagles claim many great social and political leaders on their rolls — from Theodore Roosevelt to Ronald Reagan. Harry S. Truman often reiterated that the Eagles was his type of organization — funded by and for the common man.
Today, the Eagles continue to strive to make the world a better place. We are proud, caring "people helping people" who understand that the needs of many will always outweigh the needs of a few.
The Logansport Eagles was the 323rd Aerie charted by the National Grand Aerie. The Eagles have always been located at Sixth and North Streets. The original two- -story building occupied by our organization was razed and replaced in 1954 by the building at the corner of Sixth and North in which we are now located.
The lighted sign on the corner of our building has been a trademark in Logansport since 1954. It was donated by the Coca-Cola bottling company which at the time had a bottling facility just across the street on Sixth Street northeast of our building. The location is now a parking lot. Since becoming a part of Logansport our organization grew to well over 1,500 members and has sponsored many local activities.
For many years the Eagles was very well known in the local softball and baseball community with sponsorships in both. We also hosted for many years the Firefighter of the Year program. We've played host to many state bowling tournaments. Many local and area bands got their start from playing at the Eagles. A tradition at the Eagles has been live bands on weekends, and in the past we've hosted many adult and teen dances.
Our organization as time passed fell on the same hard times as many clubs and organizations in the country, and we were forced to close our doors for a short time in 2005. We actually sold our building during those tough economic times. But, a very dedicated group of Eagles members (both men and women) got together and put the organization back together enough that we were not only able to purchase our building back, but continue to offer entertainment on a pretty regular basis. We currently operate without a charter and are under the direction of an agent of the National Eagles. All of our officers and trustees are currently appointed by the agent.
Currently the organization is operated on an all-volunteer basis as we continue to attempt to entice our former members back as well as attract new members.