In early 1922, the Knights of Pythias Grand Lodge of Washington and Oregon committed significantly to Vancouver. The lodge had decided to build a retirement home somewhere within 50 miles of Portland and Vancouver. According to letters from the lodge’s leader in late 1922, after considering several sites within that radius, the organization selected land on North Main Street between today’s 33rd and 37th streets.
Based on a Greek myth of two brothers, Damon and Pythias, whose mutual devotion let them risk their lives for each other, the nonprofit’s mission has promoted the ideals of loyalty, honor, friendship and relieving suffering since its 1864 founding. Today, the nondenominational organization runs an active senior center, the Knights of Pythias Active Retirement Center, which offers comfort to aging members of the local community. The order has nearly 2,000 homes in the United States.
Efforts to build the Vancouver home began more than a century ago. In December 1921, Edward Davis, lodge grand chancellor, wrote to Clinton Fleet, a Pasco member, apologizing for being late with his $5 building fund donation — and provided a form letter requesting $5 from members. On Jan. 3, 1922, Davis mentioned in a letter to the lodge’s officers and members that they were building “in the vicinity of Vancouver.” Some Oregon members were unhappy with that decision. So the next day, the Pythian Home Site Committee issued a members’ letter explaining the home would stand on “Washington soil.”
In March 1923, The Columbian interviewed lodge member John Elwell, who explained the construction outlay for two buildings was a half-million dollars. He said the lodges in Oregon and Washington had saved money for 20 years to build such a home. Elwell described the planned facility as modern “in every way” with gas, electricity and sewer connections. The first building, a three-story brick administration center and up to 50 rooms for older adults, would cost $130,000.
