ELLETTSVILLE — It’s been decades since members of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows converged for meetings in the downtown Ellettsville building that was home to Lodge 298 dating back to the 1880s.

Batavia and Genesee County have been home to many active civic organizations throughout the years. One of the longer standing groups was the International – now Independent – Order of the Odd Fellows.

WARNER - When town meeting voters decided in 1999 to spend $50,000 to buy the historic Odd Fellows building in the village, residents hoped that the stately 125-year-old iconic wooden structure could ...