The Grange Origin Story
The Grange (Patrons of Husbandry), founded in 1867 is the oldest American agricultural advocacy group with a national scope. The Grange strengthens individuals, families and communities through grassroots action, service, education, advocacy and agriculture awareness. The Grange actively lobbied state legislatures and Congress for political goals, such as the Granger Laws to lower rates charged by railroads, and rural free mail delivery by the Post Office. As a non-partisan organization, the Grange supports only policies, never political parties or candidates. Although the Grange was founded to serve the interests of farmers, because of the shrinking farm population the Grange has begun to broaden its range to include a wide variety of issues, and anyone is welcome to join the Grange.
The first Grange, Grange #1, was founded in 1868 in Fredonia, New York. Seven men and one woman co-founded the Grange: Oliver Hudson Kelley, William Saunders, Francis M. McDowell, John Trimble, Aaron B. Grosh, John R. Thompson, William M. Ireland, and Caroline Hall.
The Grange is the only family fraternal organization that started out allowing women to actively engage in full membership and voting rights prior to women having the right to vote. Also due to the fact that the family was important to the survival of family farms, a 13 ½ year old child could also join as a full voting member and serve in any officer position except for the four that are reserved for females only.
Grange membership has declined considerably as the percentage of American farmers has fallen from a third of the population in the early 20th century to less than two percent today. Between 1992 and 2007, the number of Grange members fell by 40%. Many family-fraternal organizations struggle to maintain membership levels, ours is no different.
The American River Grange No. 172 is the oldest Grange in Sacramento County. At one time there were as many as ten Granges in and around the Sacramento area. Currently three Granges remain active within Sacramento County; American River Grange No. 172, Orangevale Grange No. 354, and Rio Linda Grange No. 403.
“The Grange is the only family fraternal organization that started out allowing women to actively engage in full membership and voting rights prior to women having the right to vote. Also due to the fact that the family was important to the survival of family farms, a 13 ½ year old child could also join as a full voting member…”
American River Grange was organized in March 1872, and was first chartered on 24 April 1872 and has been in continuous service ever since. The original meeting place was Fifteen Mile House, a Pony Express stop just East of Sacramento, Ca. Fifteen Mile House was located off what is now White Rock Road near the Costco in Rancho Cordova, CA.
Eight years after the Grange formed they received a property donation under the condition they erect a building within 30 days. They managed to purchase the required lumber and plans for the hall. Calling all members and friends to aid in the construction, the hall was built in barn raising fashion. The building remains standing today although it has seen more than a few changes over the years; the addition of electricity, running water, and restrooms are the most significant.
The American River Grange Hall was added to the National Historic Register in 1996 following the addition of a paved parking lot as well as a fire suppression system.
Cigar Store? Funeral Home? The Grange No. 172 had a storied past…
There have been several falsities posted online and in print regarding the American River Grange over the years. There have been claims that the hall was once a funeral home, a cigar store among other things. These claims remain false. The hall began as a Grange and has always remained a Grange since it was built. The hall had hosted remains over night to await funeral processions from the hall to the Kilgore Cemetery located just down the street from our hall. The hall was used for memorial services and funerals many times. This did not make it a Funeral Parlor, it was just the Grange membership allowing the use of the hall to honor the dead. Members sold cigars to raise funds for projects they were interested in, this also did not make the building a Cigar store.
Over the years the hall has hosted many spaghetti dinners, community dances and lately we have begun annual Crab Feeds. Prices began as low as twelve and a half cents for a meal to the much higher costs of today’s economy.