Tugalo Grange Hall

Tugalo Grange Hall, Lavonia

According to the Minutes from 1890, Lavonia Lodge No. 241, F&AM, first met in the "Grange Hall, Lavonia, Georgia." There are no records of the location of this "Grange Hall."

There are, however, records that support its existence. In the 1885 and 1887 issues of "The Southern Cultivator," an agriculture periodical of its time, the "Tugalo Grange" (and "Tugalo, 734") was referenced four times. Thrice it was appeared in discussing the speed at which it had grown to 245 members since its founding "a little over twelve months" before, specifically mentioning "Brother Whitworth" as the Secretary.

Two years later, "Tugalo Grange, of Franklin county," was again referenced, with specific mention of having 175 members and again, "Worthy  Secretary, Whitworth."

In all instances, however, no address or physical location was mentioned other than Franklin County, Georgia.

The name "Tugalo Grange" was specifically mentioned in the minutes of December 30, 1892 in reference to paying the annual rent of $6.00.

It's unclear when the Lodge stopped meeting at the Tugalo Grange Hall and moved to their next location at the intersection of West Avenue and West Main Street.

In a conversation with Mrs. Vivian Young about the history of Lavonia in 1890, there wasn't much of Lavonia beyond the bounds of the current town square and warehouses alongside the railroad tracks. We were also able to locate a photo of Lavonia in 1900 but no information can be learned from the picture.

If you have any information about the Tugalo Grange Hall and its location, please let us know. We'd love to have an idea (or better yet, a photo) to aid in our research.