Historic site faces uncertain future

'His property depends on his openness, his willingness and his ability to work with those who want to help him.' Harold Phillips, Liberty city councilman, on the Odd Fellows Home and its owner, ...

[I know the facts]

I wish people would quit making it sound like this place is abandoned and no one is interested in making it a beautiful place that people will enjoy for many years to come. The people who write these articles don't even have the common courtesy to refer to Dr. Bean as a doctor which he has earned. In a time that anyone gets upset if we don't refer to people by a title that they have earned it is very disrespectful. Dr. Bean has a vision of a place that any of the 'people who care' could not think of. When you all print this crap it makes people think that it is a vacant building that they can sneak into and get their kicks, not to mention vandalize. Every window that is being broke sets us back at least an hour of work, every beer bottle we have to pick up sets it back as well, every time we have to clean up after disrespectful idiots we lose time of working to make Dr. Beans vision come true. Just because he doesn't want to speak with anyone doesn't mean that he is not going after his dream, it means he is busy being a doctor, it isn't a 9 to 5 job. It takes a little more to be a doctor and restore a historic building than writing an article with no respect for private ownership.

[noname]

I'm sure developers would love to get ahold of that property, tear it down and build some more strip malls or those ugly beige and brown things the developers refer to as "houses". I hope that Dr. Bean can see his dreams for that area and building become a reality! It has a lot of potential.

[CSS]

I would really love to see that property restored as well. I hope Dr. Bean achieves his goals into restoring it into whatever his vision of it may be. The property is astounding and I like to go back 100 years ago in my mind to think about what it once looked like in all its glory long ago. I commend the Dr. for keeping the lawn mowed, at least that still gives the property a sense of dignity. Would be very interested in what the future holds for it, I'm sure there's lots of history there and hopefully plenty of future. I've always been curious of that place. Any words of what the future holds or any more info about the place in general?!

[noname]

It used to be the Odd Fellows Home, a nursing home, I believe, because when my Grandmother began to fail really bad, she was put there and I remember her receiving wonderful care until she died. This was in 1962 or 1963. I remember the Lysol smell would hit you the minute you opened the doors to go in! It seems like there used to be huge vegetable gardens there and cattle, like a huge farm type establishment for orphans, but I may be thinking of somewhere else, back in the day. Yeah, maybe someone can fill us in on it's history.

[jrb]

a freind of mine watches the property at nite and the property is constnatly being worked on. Dr. Bean checks the progress often and though it is slow going head way is made on a regular basis. The odd fellows home has been a orphanage and hospital of sorts it has more history than any building i know of in the area since the first building was built in 1879. the vandals mostly teenagers does set back the project both in time and money. the night watch man is large and scary he happens to be a cage fighter as well if i was a curious teenage i'd stick to research not a trip to the home he'll get you for sure!!!!!!!!!!

[Ken T]

Do you know how I would go about volunteering at the Odd Fellows home? I would like very much to lend a hand with labor there in my free time. Please let me know.

jrb wrote:

a freind of mine watches the property at nite and the property is constnatly being worked on. Dr. Bean checks the progress often and though it is slow going head way is made on a regular basis. The odd fellows home has been a orphanage and hospital of sorts it has more history than any building i know of in the area since the first building was built in 1879. the vandals mostly teenagers does set back the project both in time and money. the night watch man is large and scary he happens to be a cage fighter as well if i was a curious teenage i'd stick to research not a trip to the home he'll get you for sure!!!!!!!!!!

[hunter]

wow you poeple love top write ha

[J-75-KO]

You mean to tell me someone actually stays at that scary place at night?! I went there once when I was a teenager, of course that was about 12 years ago, but I can't believe someone would stay there at night!!

[interested]

How would one get permission to simply explore the grounds (during the day of course) without getting in trouble or beaten by a cage fighter? I know that may sound funny but its a serious question.

[kas]

iv`e been in odd fellows. i didnt know someone owned it until i met the guard. me and my friends use to go in there for the thrill. we heard it was haunted. and i believe it is. we got caught and they made a big deal about it. so i think there hiding somthing. i do know two orphan girls real young died ther. mary and lizzy are there names. the gaurd told my friend it was going to be turned into a reseraunt.

[kas]

you cant the owner is to secretive about this place. he wont let any one explore the grounds.

[oEo]

interested wrote:

How would one get permission to simply explore the grounds (during the day of course) without getting in trouble or beaten by a cage fighter? I know that may sound funny but its a serious question.

There is no permission given, ever.

[ComaKing]

There is no admittance to this property under any circumstances, ever. Violators will be caught and punished to the full extent of legality. Those who chose to test this statement in the past have paid for it. 'nuff said.

[del todd]

Ok coma, fine. Since you seem to know, then tell us, why such secrecy? I may go now just because my interest has grown since your comment. And no permission given, ever? Well oEo, why not even a quick guided tour? You see guys/gals how your comments can entice some... You two seem too know, tell us why!?!

[Pennsylvania]

Is the Cemetery open for visitors? I have ancestors there.

[Juggernaut705]

Does the guard stay there every night...that would be a scary job!

[Josepha]

This location was on the endangered list a couple of years ago, wasn't it?

[wow]

I do not want Dr. Bean sneaking onto my property snooping around, so I will respect him and stay off his.

[Baylee]

noname wrote:

I'm sure developers would love to get ahold of that property, tear it down and build some more strip malls or those ugly beige and brown things the developers refer to as "houses". I hope that Dr. Bean can see his dreams for that area and building become a reality! It has a lot of potential.

i have also heard that they will tear down the beautiful odd fellows. im really sad because it has alot of history inside it. my mom got a job in the kitchen there many years ago but walked out because it had an odd eree feeling. she didnt want knives flying at her if it really was haunted. she said she had to go up a really weird elivator and that made her decision official not to take the job.

[GirlNextDoor]

I dont know what Dr Bean has planned but I hope it is something awesome. I am only 24 but I can remember going by that place when I was a little girl and thinking about how wonderful it would be to make it into a bed and breakfast. I always wanted to do that and have the vineyard going and horse-drawn carriages.. anyways I hope he does something that give everybody the chance to enjoy such a gorgeous piece of history.