photos History of Jesse T. Jones photos
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May 1969: During Grand Lodge Session, Incoming Grand Master Frank Shrives appointed a Special Committtee to make a study of acquiring property along the Oregon coast for a camp ground and recreation area for members of the Order.
May 1970: The Committee recommended the purchase of 40 acres one mile south of Florence for the sum of $32,167.
1970: Oregon Odd Fellows Travel Club was organized with 124 Charter Members
1972: The Travel Club was given the responsibility of developing the, campground. This was accomplished by many volunteers working many long hours clear- ing the forest, laying out campsites, and having a well drilled. Money was donated by members of the Travel Club.
1973: The Park was named for Jesse T. Jones, who served as Grand Patriarch in 1928, and Department Commander in 1949/51. Brother Jesse had been named to the original committee in 1969, and was a great promoter of the park. He was 94 years old when he passed away in 1980. He was the father of the Sister Arlene Young, Secretary Emeritus of the Rebekah Assembly of Oregon.
1975: The Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area was created and 28 of the 40 acres was included in this development. The Grand Lodge of Oregon purchased 44 acres adjoining the property for $46,565 and 28 acres were sold to the U.S. Government and one acre to Mr. Chastain for $43,100, leaving a total of 55 acres in the park.
1977: A mobile home was purchased by The Grand Lodge to be used as a residence for a full-time caretaker. HomePage
By 1980 a large pavilion with a complete kitchen had been built, 42 full hookup RV spaces installed, tent spaces cleared and a restroom/shower building completed. Horse shoe pits, an in ground barbeque pit and a children's playground were added during the next few years. The heads of all branches of the Order and the Travel Club raised funds for those projects by having breakfasts and dinners and special projects at Spring Fling in April, 4th of July, and Labor Day Camp out.
For many years the Travel Club sponsored, these three campouts each year. Pot lucks were organized as well as devotional services on Sundays. Horse shoe tournaments, games, craft shows, evening entertainment and bingo were enjoyed by everyone.
1981: The administration of the park passed to an Administrative Board made up of five Brothers elected by Grand Lodge and three Sisters elected by the Rebekah Assembly.
1989: A multi-purpose room was built and attached to the main pavilion to be used by the Odd Fellow and Rebekah Lodges of Florence as a meeting place,.as well as used for card games, entertainment and devotional services at campouts. The Florence Odd Fellow and Rebekah Lodges each donated $9,000 to Grand Lodge to help defray the cost of this addition. The Lodges meet in this building rent-free.
1992: A storage building from the grounds of the Friendship Health Center in Portland was Imported to the park and rebuilt by Anderson Construction Co. who remodeled Friendship Health Center. This building is called the Holgate Building and is used for meeting, games, and indoor picnics, and can be rented for special occasions.
1993: A large metal storage building was constructed by Larry Hague, Sandland Adventures, Inc. for storing off-road vehicles in the park and it is park property.
1994: A new well is drilled. Plans are drawn for 20 additional full hook-up RV spaces, a new septic system and a new restroom and shower building.
1996: Water from the new well .is being used in the park. A kitchen and rest room have been added to the Holgate Building, a storage shed for the tractor built and a ½ court basketball court is being finished.
1998: The caretakers mobile home has been refurbished, painted, carpeted and a garage built.
1999: The Odd Fellows Travel Club has been disbanded.
Today, Jesse Jones Park is a thriving example of Odd Fellowship at its best.