The History of Logansport Eagles Aerie #323

The Logansport Eagles was closed on Feb. 12, 2014 after 111 years of service to the community. The Logansport Eagles hosted the 1938 Indiana State Convention. A part of that celebration was the printing of a program booklet that contained a wealth of information about not only the state organization, but the Logansport Eagles. It also contained several pages of advertising. Included on this web page are several of the pages from that program booklet. We believe anyone interested in the history of the Logansport Eagles, and seeing advertising from businesses and industries that were a part of Logansport in 1938, will find this page extremely interesting. Logansport was the third oldest Eagles Aerie in Indiana. Only Anderson #174 and Brazil #274 were older.

The Logansport Eagles was formed in 1903

The following is a very interesting history of the Logansport Eagles. The first locationn of the organization was above Porter's Drug Store at 4th and E. Market St. Porter's Drug store was destroyed by fire during the famous J.C. Penney's fire in the 1960s, that resulted in the destruction of many businesses along Market and 4th streets. We'e not sure which building at 6th and East Broadway was called the Keystone Building. We believe it was either on the northwest or northeast corners across from what is now the Logansport City Building or the Pharos-Tribune building.  In any case, here's the history that was included in the 1938 booklet. It contains some interesting English structure.

This is a picture that shows an Eagles picnic in 1912. The information doesn't say where the picnic was held, but apparently it included some music and some really well-dressed Eagles members. On the back of this photo is the information that it was taken by photograher  F. O. Schmidt in 1912. No other information available.

This is a picture of the current Eagles building just after construction was completed, and just prior to its dedication at the corner of Sixth and North Streets. Notice the sign at the top right corner is not the same as the sign that now exists, but they are close. Also, the street is apparently being finished in front of the building. The general contractor for the building is listed as H.P. Loner and Sons Construction in Logansport. The Loner Lumber Company was located at the corner of 22nd and Usher Street in Logansport. Herman Loner was the owner. No one has been able to answer the question relating to why the bottom floor was lower than street level. The information in the dedication book conflicts with information that has been given for the past several years. We've always thought the building was constructed in 1954.  The inscription reads, "The new home of the Logansport, Indiana 323, Fraternal Order of Eagles, erected at the corner of 6th and North Streets and completed in April, 1956. The dedication of this new building brings to a realization a 53-year ambition of all our departed Brothers as well as our present 2250 members."

This page from the Eagles dedication ceremony of the present building in 1956 lists the first president in 1902, but all other information lists the first charter presented on March 12, 1903.  Apparently the Eagles was organized sometime during 1902, but was not chartered until 1903.

This is a front view of the Eagles Aerie 323 building that was dedicated on May 7, 1936. The Eagles actually moved into the top two floors of this building earlier. The bottom floor reportedly was a business. The Eagles finally purchased the bottom floor and converted it into the clubroom, which resulted in its dedication in 1936. This building was located in what is now the south parking lot of the current Eagles building.

Above are the Logansport Eagles officers in 1956 when the current building was dedicated.