Just the Facts
Elkhart County Granges
Once important as the Church, the Granges, active groups in the farming community of the County, have dwindled in popularity as farmers, once a third of the population, are now less than 2%.
National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry
Simply called by its members "the Grange," it was a fraternal organization for American farm families formed in 1867. Once comprised of over a million members during its peak from 1890s through 1950s, membership had fallen to about 300,000 by 2005.
The Grange in Elkhart Co.
In the early days, there were eight local granges, Fairview, Hex, Lake, Zion, South Prarie, Bluegrass, Vistula and Success. A new grange called Vision of Hope was formed in 1991. By 1982, only five of the original eight were left, plus the Pomona or County Grange. Hex Grange honored 50 years members in 1993. By 2005, only Fairview was thriving with a new youth group. The Zion Grange is now the Zion Church Youth Building, and the South Prairie Grange was turned into El Toro Restaurant. Vistula and Success Granges were disbanded some years ago.
1912 Lake Grange Booth at the Fair
Among the many activities that farm families enjoyed, a booth at the Elkhart County Fair was a common way to display the various produce they grew. A.A. Martin (standing) and from left to right, Brian Sherwin and Clyde Pickrell of Lake Grange manned a booth at the fair in 1912.
According to the June 7, 1919 edition of the Elkhart Truth, the old Lake School was moved from the spot it had stood at CR 131 and 129 for nearly 100 years, so that Lake Grange could be built. Lake Grange was organized in 1913, and by 1914, had raised enough to buy the School property. The 60+ members, who were helping to build the new $5000 hall, expected to have it completed by August, 1919.
Lake Grange celebrated their 70th Anniversary in 1983, but due to lagging membership rolls, the building was sold to private ownership in 1989.
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