New life brewing for Orange Lodge building

Back when LOL meant Loyal Orange Lodge, not “laugh out loud,” Branch 321 of the LOL stood at Downers Corners, now the corner of Ashburnham Road and Lansdowne Street. It was built by John Graham Weir and his fellow Orangemen in 1894. Before that they had to go all the way to town for their meetings.

Imagine my delight to hear an LOL structure was at one point moved to the property formerly owned by John Graham Weir on Concession 12. The two spots are not far apart, so I am assuming the building is one and the same. The move would have happened after 1925 when Weir was still walking to the lodge from his home on Romaine Street. And further imagine my delight when the current owner of the Weir farm property, Len Vass, told me he is turning the old lodge into a craft brewery. May we anticipate Weir Beer? Lovina’s Lager? Otonabeer? Weir would appreciate this. He brewed his own ale and had great times at the Orange Lodge.

Diaries of an Otonabee farmer 1894 Nov. 6, Tues.

I spent all day attending to Orange Lodge business in connection with our new Orange Hall. I paid George Elliott $270 for building the hall and paid William Dowdell for the deed of the land and I paid A.L. Davis for insurance, $6.75.

1896 March 3, Tues.

Robert Weir and I attended a meeting of the Orange Lodge this evening. It was two o’clock in the night when we got home. There was a splendid supper provided at the Hall.

1909 Dec. 11, Sat.

Frank Kitney and I went to W.H. Moore and paid the balance on Orange Lodge Mortgage. Fine winter day and the roads are smooth.

1914 April 13, Mon.

This forenoon I loaned Josey the grey mare to Philip Tennyson until he could suit himself in purchasing a horse. This afternoon I brewed some ale.

1915 Nov. 4, Thurs.

I helped to brew four kegs of ale this afternoon while it was raining.

1916 Sept. 6, Wed.

We brewed five kegs of ale today.

1917 May 24, Thurs.

I brewed a keg of ale this afternoon. Margaret and Melville Tennyson were here and he broke my good shovel raising some small trees I gave them.

1917 Nov. 21, Wed.

Cold and disagreeable all day. I brewed two kegs of ale and did the chores.

1920 April 20, Tues.

This morning I went with Mr. Lowes to the farm and helped him plant potatoes with his potato planter. This evening I attended a meeting of our Orange Lodge 321 and afterwards with others I walked home to Romaine Street.

1921 April 13, Wed.

I brewed three kegs of ale today and this evening I went with Mr. Huffman to his lot and we planted a bushel of potatoes.

1921 Oct. 21, Fri.

I brewed three kegs of ale and one keg of what they call homebrew. About 25 gallons in all. This has been a lovely warm day.

1923 June 14, Thurs.

I was brewing a keg of ale this afternoon. John Howden spent the afternoon with us. Dry and warm growing weather.