The Buckeye and the Odd Fellows Hall

Frequently referred to as "The Buckeye Diner," a truck stop once stood in the center of Hebron where the current village "green space" houses a pergola and some picnic tables. The Buckeye Center sported showers, tire repair, scales, and much more. It was frequented by locals for the great food and staff. Given its proximity to a state trooper outpost and the soon-to-be interstate, The Center was easy to get to and the hub of the town. Semi-trucks were able to park where B&B Sales and Ruthie’s Resale currently reside (previously the site of Lawsons convenience store).

Another important site once stood here on the "green space:" The first meeting at this location of the Williams Lodge 363, Independent Order of Odd Fellows Hall, was held on December 14, 1899. It was 70 feet long and 39 feet wide. The building had many lives after the lodge was disbanded including hosting basketball games, silent movies, plays, dances, graduation, and various community functions. Before its demolition in 1987, the Lodge building also served as an auctions hall later followed by auctions and a flea market.

In 1851, inventors developed the electric rail engine that could travel as fast as 19 miles an hour. In the late 1880s, the electric rail came to Licking County with the first car running from Newark to Granville in 1890. The Columbus, Newark and Zanesville Interurban railway came to Hebron in 1902 and most likely took business away from the steam passenger rail. The Interurban would run a two-mile local loop through Hebron to Buckeye Lake with the main line turning north to Newark. The Ohio Electric Power House supplied power for the Interurban rail and was located on the southside of Hebron. By the 1920s, the use of the interurban lines started to decline and in 1960 only a few cities continued the lines.

Image 1: This close-up photo of one of Hebron's many parades shows the "Diner" sign peeking out from behind a phone pole. Note the period "Coke" and "Pure" signs on the building.

Image 2: This photo shows the intersection of the National Road and the former route for OH-79. The single-story building in the center of the photo is the Old Buckeye.

Image 3: Can you spot the Buckeye Center on the left?

Image 4: The Buckeye Center celebrated the 125th anniversary of Hebron with this advertisement.

Image 5: This photo from the early 1970s shows the building, no longer standing. A green space featuring a pergola and picnic tables for residents to enjoy now stand on the site.

Image 6: The original building serving as the Williams Lodge.

Image 7: In this image, the Odd Fellows Hall is situated to the right of the Interurban Depot in the heart of the Village of Hebron. Just beyond, the Myers Hotel tempted travelers to stop at the restaurant.

Image 8: The Odd Fellows Hall served many purposes over the years. The windows facing Main Street made it an ideal retail location. In this early 1960s photo of a Hebron parade, the hall was home to a furniture retailer.

Image 9: The Odd Fellows Hall fell into disrepair over the years. In this image, the building is nearing the end of its life. Park National Bank, Dawson's, and the Mill feature prominently in the photo as well.

Image 10: With the water tower watching, the Odd Fellows Hall was demolished in August 1987.

Image 11: Interurban car shown on the east side of the depot.

Image 12: The Interurban depot is located on the left with the tracks heading to Buckeye Lake and the tracks to the right headed towards Newark.

Image 13: A view of the tracks from the west side of Hebron on the National Road looking east.