Former Odd Fellows Lodge

This Italianate commercial building was likely constructed a few years before Independent Order of Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F.) The Quindaro Lodge had its own hall in this building, which was occupied by C. A. Bope's hardware store on the ground level. Mount Vernon included women in their membership with the institution of Knox Rebekah No. 21 on May 21, 1880. The Quindaro Lodge ultimately absorbed all of the Odd Fellows lodges in the Knox County area. The Knox County Landmarks Foundation purchased and restored the building in 2009, becoming only the third owner of the property in 150 years.

A soaring three stories, this building possesses several elements that make it stand out among the other Italianate structures in the district. All of the windows have decorative pressed-metal hoodmolds. The 3rd-story windows stretch nearly twice the height of the 2nd-story windows, giving this building a very distinct appearance. The wide wooden cornice has thin, narrow brackets with the three-link chain on both sides, used by the I.O.O.F. to symbolize Friendship, Love, and Truth. Much of the original storefront, remains intact, including cast-iron pilasters with Corinthian capitals, and transoms over the display windows and entrance. The Lodge entrance is located in the left north corner of this building. In addition to providing access to the 2nd and 3rd stories of the I.O.O.F. building, this entrance serves as a shared hallway to the upper-level apartments located in the adjacent Adam Pyle Building. At one time, based on historic photographs and scars in the brick, this large entrance was left exposed to the elements.