06/23/2026
Good morning! Today’s picture takes us to Mason Township and the village of Mason.
This is from a newspaper clipping from December 29, 1972 in the Effingham Daily News. At the end of the year, the newspaper highlighted things that were happening around the county. I will share with you part of this article that pertains to this picture of the Mason Grocery Store. This store opened in 1972.
“May 26, 27, and 28 was the opening of Mason Grocery owned and operated by Dale and Carldeane Ready. The building and inventory has been purchased from Mr. and Mrs. H. G. Rogers who had operated Rogers Grocery for about 17 years and had closed at that time due to Mr. Rogers health.”
“The building has been remodeled and decorated.”
At the top of this building, I see the letters “I.O.O.F.”. These letters stand for “Independent Order of Odd Fellows” and it is an international fraternal organization that was non-sectarian and non-political. At one time there were many Odd Fellows lodges in Effingham County.
Perhaps you shopped at Rogers Grocer or the Mason Grocery. You might have even had relatives that belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellow. There was a component for women added called “Rebekah” and they operated under similar principles. Please share with us if you know about either of the grocery stores or the Odd Fellows or Rebekahs.
The building shown in the picture has been remodeled again and is still standing. That's a good thing!
Wherever you may be, I wish you a wonderful day!
