SPENCER BUTTE LODGE NO. 9

We've got lots of research to do! Lots more information coming, but here is what we have so far:

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Spencer Butte Lodge No. 9 was instituted in Eugene City on May 1, 1861. Among its initial functions was the "supervision of all orphans and children of deceased qualified members who may have been left in poverty or without a guardian." The first member initiated to the lodge was Eugene F. Skinner, founder of Eugene City. He was also the first of the members to "pass over the river of death; and enter that great Lodge above."

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The Spencer Butte Odd Fellows founded Pioneer Cemetery in 1872, located adjacent to the campus of the University of Oregon but not affiliated with the college. It is one of the three oldest cemeteries in Eugene. It is the largest in both acreage and burials encompassing 16 acres with approximately 5,000 burials. The cemetery was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1997. Notable burials in the cemetery include Louis Renninger, who was awarded the Medal of Honor in the American Civil War. Renninger is one of one hundred and forty-five Civil War veterans buried in the cemetery. There is also a section for Spanish–American War veterans and there are many veterans from World War I and World War II.