The National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry, commonly called The Grange, was born in the years following the Civil War to unite private citizens in improving the economic and social position of the nation’s farm and rural populations.  Founded primarily as a fraternal organization, the Grange often attracted people who worked to foster a sense of community and contribute to the greater good.  According to the Maine State Grange website, the Grange arrived in Maine in 1873 and by 1874 there were 64 Granges and approximately 2000 members.  The Grange in Maine advocated reform of statewide agricultural practices, supported voting rights of women, and promoted new farming methods and techniques in household management. 

 

A group of 32 men and women met at Franklin’s Town Hall on September 11, 1903, for the purpose of organizing a Grange in town.  The name chosen for the new Grange was Schoodic, named for the nearby mountain and a well-known landmark to everyone in and around Franklin.

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Meetings were held in the Town Hall for 12 years and

rent paid to the town at 25 cents per month for use

of the hall.  In the early days of the Grange, members

came to meetings by team and it was necessary to

rent nearby stables for 10 cents.

 

The first candidate to receive his degree by initiation

into Schoodic Grange was Bailey Dyer.  Seven members

comprised the next class of initiates as Franklin’s Grange

membership increased rapidly.  In 1904 a paper of local

Grange doings called the Schoodic Gazette was started

and published for many years. 

 

In Schoodic Grange’s early years thoughts of building a dedicated hall had started in earnest.  At this time, it was generally thought that the Grange and the Independent Order of Foresters would build and share a hall together.  However, this idea dropped by the wayside and the Grange prepared to build their own hall.  In February 1913, a committee composed of Edith Butler, Sidney Butler, and Everard Cousins was formed to find a location.  The Effie Macomber lot was deemed a suitable location, but closer inspection determined it had only four rods on the side facing the main road.  Desiring more frontage, the committee approached Edgar W. Billings and learned his 1/2-acre lot was available for $100.  This was agreed to and after acquisition of the property was completed, thoughts about the new hall truly took shape.  Lumber for Schoodic Grange was purchased from T. M. Blaisdell and this material originated from the Copperopolis building in Hancock.  This building was torn down under the direction of Nathan Collar and many teams were engaged to transport the lumber to the lot in Franklin.  Grange members built the basic structure of the hall during building bees and funds were raised from bean suppers, Grange picnics, fairs, plays, and socials. 

 

The last meeting in the Town Hall was held on November 4, 1915, and the first meeting in Schoodic Grange was called to order on November 11, 1915.  The lower hall was not fully completed until 1925, when the Grange voted to hire Nathan Collar for $300 to finish the work.

In 1927 a vote was taken to have the hall wired for electricity and by December of that year lights illuminated the many Grange events and activities.

 

By the 1940s, the importance of Schoodic Grange to the community was evident in the number of groups that used the building: school programs, the Women’s Club, the 4-H Club, the Farm Bureau and Daughters of Union Veterans.  During this time, one night each year was devoted to Franklin’s children who were invited to come and put on the entire program.  Afterward everyone was treated to refreshments.

 

Thirty-three Schoodic Grange members served in military service during World War II.  All dues for serving members were paid during their absence.  Grange attendance was small during the war years as many members were away working in war plants or shipyards.  Remaining members did their share by helping with First Aid classes, hosting Red Cross activities, conducting scrap metal drives, and buying war bonds.  Following the war, Schoodic’s membership reached its highest numbers; in 1947 Schoodic Grange No. 420 boasted 134 members.

 

 

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Money was raised to build a fire escape (since torn down) and completely redecorate the main hall in 1945 and to install a furnace in 1947.  The hall was repainted in 1978 and carpet installed upstairs in 1996.  In 1999 Schoodic Grangers raised funds to install a new bathroom off the back of the building.

 

On September 11, 2003, Schoodic Grange celebrated its

first 100 years with a special celebration presided over by

Lillian Leighton and visiting State Master, Steve Verill.  The

special evening event was attended by 57 guests and

members.  But in changing times, Grange membership

and involvement began tapering off as civic halls and

granges slowly stopped being the centers of community

life.  The Cushman Grange in Gouldsboro shuttered in 2001,

on its 100th birthday.  The John Dority Grange in Sullivan

closed in 2002 after 99 years.  During 2017, Schoodic Grange

held its final yard sale fundraisers and conducted its last meetings. 

Grange activity had effectively ceased in Franklin by 2018 and the

hall went dark for many years.

 

Schoodic Grange No. 420 was widely recognized for the collective and individual achievements it fostered.  Many were the ribbons Schoodic Grangers were awarded at local fairs. Schoodic earned numerous Honor Grange awards and during the Maine State Grange session in December 1939, it won the title of Model Grange.  In the 1970s Schoodic Grange had five Golden Sheaf members who had maintained continuous Grange enrollment for at least 50 years.