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Eagle Grange No. 1

Eagle Grange No. 1
Eagle Grange.JPG
Eagle Grange, the first in Pennsylvania
Eagle Grange No. 1 is located in Pennsylvania
Eagle Grange No. 1
Map of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania showing the location of Eagle Grange No. 1
Location Clinton Township, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, USA
Nearest city Williamsport, Pennsylvania
Coordinates 41°10′44″N 76°54′40″W / 41.1788°N 76.9111°W / 41.1788; -76.9111Coordinates: 41°10′44″N 76°54′40″W / 41.1788°N 76.9111°W / 41.1788; -76.9111
Area May 5, 2001
Built/founded 1871

Eagle Grange No. 1 was organized on March 4, 1871 by a group of rural farmers who had become concerned about the rising costs of farming in the post Civil War economy. It is in Clinton Township, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania in the United States. Eagle Grange No. 1 was the first grange to be organized in Pennsylvania, two years before the formation of the Pennsylvania State Grange and four years after The National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry, better known as the National Grange was founded in Fredonia, New York by Oliver Hudson Kelley. The chief objectives of the Eagle Grange No. 1 were the establishment of a co-operative purchasing program for farmers, the lowering of railroad rates, and the establishment of rural free delivery by the United States Postal Service. The Grange was one of the first national organizations to give equal status to female members.

Luke Eger, a farmer from Lycoming County, was the driving force behind the formation of Eagle Grange No. 1. He had read about the success of similar farmer's co-operative groups in states like Ohio, Iowa, and Minnesota. Eger contacted Oliver Hudson Kelley who was working for farmer's rights in Washington, D.C. at the time. Kelley encouraged Eger to establish a Grange in Lycoming County. Eger received little support from his friends and neighbors when he first attempted to establish a co-operative. In fact his brother-in-law, Frank Porter, is quoted in saying that Eagle Grange No. 1 was finally established, "just to keep peace in the family." Luke Eger wrote to the National Grange in 1871, "I have at last succeeded in organizing and raising a club here and think there will be little trouble in establishing clubs in the county."


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