Figure 1.--We are not sure just what kind of uniform the Toledo, Ohio boy here is wearing. I think he is too young to be a messenger boy. A lodge auxillery is a possibility. The portrait is undated, but the cabinent card mount looks to date it about 1900.

A number of lodges began to organize in America in the 19th century. This followed the Masons which organized in the 18th century. Some of these groups included the Elks, Moose, and Shriners. These were men's fraternal orders. Many had, however, auxileries for both wives and boys, I'm less sure about girls. We have seen boys wearing unidentified uniforms. We think that some of them may be wearing lodge uniforms, aslthough we are not at all sure. The cap with the city name and badge look rather like what a lodge might have. Perhaps HBC readers will have some insights here. One suggestion reads, "The young boy here may be wearing a lodge uniform and medal. I suppose this could be a military school uniform as it follows closely to the dress uniform of the Spanish American War era. H The collar insignia look like many I have seen on lodge coats which also followed close to military pattern." The uniform does have some similarity to military uniforms. The cap and shoes, however, are not right for a military school.

Created: 8:33 PM 3/1/2007
Last updated: 8:34 PM 3/1/2007