Pictorial Story of the many homes of Lodge of Peace

Lodge of Peace was first consecrated at a town now known as Longford, which was situated in a general area known as Norfolk Plains. a rather large area in Central Northern Tasmania.  Consecration  10th August 1857. Longford stands on the Western bank of the South Esk River.

 Longford about 1874 - 76 *

The first move was to Stanley on the far North West.. This was the head quarters of the Van Diemens Land Company, a centre of a Police district, and in the early formation of the settlement, controlled  at least half of what we know today as the North West Coast  That took in from Emu bay, (Burnie) South to around Valentines Peak and through to the West Coast.  This move was consecrated in June 1859.

Stanley in the time period of Lodge of Peace at Stanley. *

Stanley 2004 taken looking East

The Lodge Charter became dormant during the stay at Stanley but was later taken to Hamilton in Forth.

The first meeting was held at Liddles Hotel (Forth Tavern) consecration taking place on 19 November 1879.  Here the Lodge  had two locations, first at the Tavern then to the Odd Fellows Hall.  Peace domiciled in Forth until 1913.

Forth taken between 1880 -89. *

The Tavern is in the centre right, on the Eastern side of the Forth River, and still stands as a Tavern to this day. The Odd Fellows Hall is believed to have been situated up hill to the North East of the existing Tavern. 

The Forth Tavern as it is today.

Still licensed and a great place for a meal.

The next move was to Penguin in 1913. We have not been able to locate old pictures of the actual buildings, but both the old Baptist Church and what was the Court House still stand. The Baptist Church has replaced the small room at the rear with a more modern structure.  The original room to the rear was built by Lodge of Peace but was far too small for the growing Lodge at that time.

A view of the town in the early 1900's looking North West. *

Consecration of Lodge of Peace in Penguin in 1913 took place at the rooms of the building pictured below, the Old Baptist Church.

Hope Chapel 2004

The Old Baptist Church, now called Hope Chapel as it is today.

The room shown at the rear is of recent construction replacing the original room built by Lodge of Peace.                                                                                                      

Again moving, but still in Penguin was to the old Court House. This was as the name suggests, the site of the Police Station, the Council administration rooms, and of course the court rooms. Today, the frontage is much as the writer remembers it, from his youth, but additions have been made to the rear to accommodate the present use as a Senior Citizens rooms.

The Old Court House. (2004)

In 1937  Lodge of Peace finally had a home of it's own. A small parcel of land was purchased in Ironcliffe Road, a building erected, and the rooms consecrated.  Two extensions have been built on to the rear of the building over the years.  More upgrades and renovations are planned.

The home of Lodge of Peace  at Ironcliffe Road Penguin. 2004

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Note  We give thanks to Tasmaniana Library section of the State Library of Tasmania for the use of early photographs of Longford, Stanley, Forth and Penguin.  Other pictures by the webmaster.

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