The golden age of fraternal societies

A member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows is shown in a print, likely from the 1850s. The Odd Fellows and Freemasons were the two prominent fraternal societies in Detroit before the Civil War.

The Detroit Commandery of the Knights Templar parades on Jefferson Avenue in 1869. The Knights Templar, an order of the Masons, consisted of more than 100 Detroit knights at this time, the beginning of the golden age of fraternal societies.

Masons from Michigan are photographed in 1892. Detroit's Mayor Hazen S. Pingree is seated in the front row, third from left. Earlier in the 1800s, Detroit's Masons included dignitaries such as Gov. Lewis Cass and U.S. Sen. Zachariah Chandler.

African-Americans created their own fraternal societies or branches of established clubs. This is the Eureka Commandery of the Knights Templar, positioned in front of the library at Gratiot Avenue and Library Street in downtown Detroit in 1890.

Shriners pose with bear cubs on the steps of the Masonic Temple during their convention in Detroit in 1897. Some 100,000 Shriners and guests whooped it up in Detroit, also bringing with them camels and elephants for the grand parade.

One of hundreds of fraternal organizations around the turn of the 20th century, officers of the Mystic Order of Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm are seen in 1890, including founder Leroy Fairchild, seated at right. The club was founded on fun, fellowship and playing practical jokes on one another.

Shriners in uniform from the Syria Temple march in Detroit in 1897. (Note: Shriners organizations in many cities had Syria Temples; the location of this one is not clear.)

Shriners parade in Detroit in 1897, wearing their signature red fezzes. By 1916 Detroit was considered the top destination for conventions by the National Tourist Board.

Members of the Eastern Star, an order of the Masons that is open to women, gather at 1115 Seyburn St. in Detroit in 1909. The group reveres the biblical virtues of obedience, constancy, fidelity, faith and love. It remains in existence.

The founder of the Knights of Pythias was Justus Henry Rathbone, seen in 1890. Rathbone was a young, out-of-work actor teaching in Copper Harbor, Mich., when he formed the club in 1857.

The Greek legend of Damon and Pythias is illustrated in an 1894 print promoting the Knights of Pythias, whose motto was "Friendship, Charity, Benevolence."

The "Lesson of Friendship" team at the Mason, Mich. Lodge No. 70 of the Knights of Pythias is seen in 1913.

The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks' White Squadron parades in Detroit in 1910. The Elks' colors are royal purple and white, signifying the love of truth and the highest degree of virtue.

Elks from the Covington Lodge in Kentucky march in Detroit during a huge convention in 1910.

A float from the Akron Lodge rolls up Woodward during the Elks parade of 1910.

Three camels, wearing fezzes like the Shriners who accompany them, line up for a parade, circa 1910-15. The city is identified as Rochester, but the state is unknown.

Shriners in costume holding swords parade in front of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument and Detroit Opera House in 1919.

A Shriners "potentate" has his tongs full at the barbecue pit during a Shriners celebration on Oct. 21, 1922.

A drawing from the early 1920s of Detroit's Masonic Temple, which when built would become the largest in the world.

George Washington is portrayed as the Grand Mason of Virginia in 1855 in a Currier and Ives portrait. The cornerstone of Detroit's Masonic Temple was placed on Sept. 19, 1922, using the same trowel that George Washington used to set the cornerstone of the U.S. Capitol in 1793.

Thousands of Freemasons march down Temple Street from Woodward Avenue toward Detroit's new Masonic Temple, for the temple dedication ceremony on Thanksgiving Day in 1926. They wear white aprons, a symbol of innocence and honor derived from the working apron of ancient stone masons.

First of three: A panoramic view shows the huge turnout for the dedication of the finished Masonic Temple in Detroit on Thanksgiving Day, 1926.

Second of three: A panoramic view shows the huge turnout for the dedication of the finished Masonic Temple in Detroit on Thanksgiving Day, 1926.

Third of three: A panoramic view shows the huge turnout for the dedication of the finished Masonic Temple in Detroit on Thanksgiving Day, 1926.

The Knights Templar drill on Belle Isle in the 1920s.

The Knights Templar, an order of the Freemasons, march on Woodward in 1928 under the symbol of the red cross.

The Knights Templar held their national Grand Encampment and parade in Detroit on July 16-19, 1928. The conclaves have been held every three years from 1816 to the present.

A white ostrich plume was the signature feature of the Knights Templars' dress uniform. Every detail of the uniform was specified in the regulations, down to the coat lining and distance between buttons. Variations in the uniform were specified for past commanders, grand commandery officers, grand commanders and past grand commanders. This photo was likely from the 1928 parade in Detroit.

Knights Templar dignitaries parade in cars during the Grand Encampment in July of 1928. The Masonic Temple is visible in the background.

The Detroit Club's building at 712 Cass Avenue became the hangout for Detroit's elite when it opened in 1891.

Inside the Detroit Club is this elaborate mantle, plus four bowling alleys, a library, dining rooms, a billiard parlor, barbershop, a wine cellar, café and private rooms for members.

A 1937 Shriners parade at night in Detroit included members riding on horseback in caftans and fezzes.