Sons of Norway, Valhall Lodge No. 168 Records (Rockford)

In 1907 a group of Norwegian immigrants organized the Norge Society of Rockford, Illinois.  This social organization sought “to unite men and women of Norwegian heritage and to uphold all that is good in the Norwegian tradition and to help out fellow countrymen.”  The Society decided to join the fraternal benefit society of Sons of Norway on the recommendation of Christian Ludvigsen of Bjornstjerne Bjornson Lodge in Chicago.  With the help of District President Finn Moen and others the charter for Valhall Lodge #168, Sons of Norway, was signed on December 12, 1915. Up to this time women were not accepted as members but could join a sister organization called Daughters of Norway.  At the Fifth District meeting in Ashland, Wisconsin in 1916, one of our charter members, Christian O. Danielsen, first proposed that women be allowed to join the Order.  In January 1918 women were admitted as social members. Hoping to attract more members, Valhall leased property on the banks of the Kishwaukee River in 1920, built a small cottage and used the place for “utflykter” (outings).  The site of Perryville, however, was not available for renewal or purchase, so the Lodge was forced to abandon it.  It was not until 1938 that the Lodge purchased a four acre tract on the Rock River where a Norwegian style “hytte” was built.  Camp Valhall has been an important asset, and the center around which most Lodge activities have been planned. As the oldest Norwegian organization in Rockford, Valhall Lodge has been the focal point for many Norwegian activities in the community.  During the Depression we sponsored the first Junior Lodge, a Dramatic Club, and a dance team.  We participated in many civic and cultural events, such as our collaboration with Mendelssohn Club to present programs on Grieg and Ibsen.  We raised money for the Norwegian flyers at Camp Little Norway in Canada during World War II and collected clothing after the War under the auspices of Norwegian Relief.  Valhall Lodge has hosted five Fifth District Conventions in 1930, 1946, 1960, 1980 and 1994. In more recent years we have become more visible in the community through bake sales, Heritage Days, speakers in the schools, and booths at local festivals.  For four years we displayed a Norwegian table setting at Rockford Museum Center’s Table Walk. Ivar “Tuffy” Dahlgren and Stan Hanson inspired the first Fifth District Golf Tournament, and Valhall has hosted one each year since the mid-Sixties.  Traveling trophies have since been named in their honor.  Added to the annual events has been the “Fish Boil” in October, assisted in the beginning by Cliff Feggestad from Mandt Lodge in Stoughton, Wisconsin.  It has become one of our most popular functions. In 1986 the Daughters of Valhall was organized to be the philanthropic arm of Valhall Lodge.  The group has held three successful style shows, three Spring luncheons, and sponsored a Norwegian style reception following the presentation of “Kingdom Come” at a local community theater. In 1965 Valhall elected Anne Ferling as its first women president.  Anne was the daughter of one of Valhall’s founders.  A number of our members have served on the District Board: Hans Johnsen, Gerry Connell, Conrad Garmager, Harry “Bill” Christiansen and Eric Ferling, all deceased.  Others who have served on the Board are Margaret Dahlgren, Tom Cullen, Reuben Bahr and Clare Almquist.  Conrad Garmager, Gerry Connell and Clare Almquist each served a number of terms as District Secretary with Conrad and Clare moving on to become the District President.  Conrad was International President for one term.  In 1990 Margaret Dahlgren was named Fifth District Fraternalist of the Year.  Currently two of our members are on the Fifth District Board, Constance Rew as Youth Director and Ray Knutson as Recreation Director. At the present time Valhall has a Norwegian Language Class and a Reading Club (Norwegian and Norwegian/American authors) which meet on a regular basis.  A workshop in Hardanger was held in the fall of 1994 and it is hoped more workshops will be held in the near future. In February 1993 a notice was received from the Rockford Airport Authority informing the Lodge that our property was needed for airport expansion.  Less than six months previously Fred Ford had assured us it would be at least five years before such a plan would be put in force.  As a meeting with airport officials in July of 1993 a deadline was set, with the end of 1994 as the target date. A search began in earnest for a suitable home within our price range.  Empty school buildings and churches were explored and vacant pieces of land were examined.  Finally in late summer of 1994 the Jehovah’s Witness Temple in Machesney Park was put up for sale.  A first visit brought immediate interest.  Being threatened by a lawsuit and being advised against that route by our lawyer and our appraiser, we agreed to sell Camp Valhall.  On November 18, 1994, it was sold for $174,350.  An agreement was made to purchase the property on Norman Avenue for $120,000 on January 3, 1995. With that accomplished, trees have been moved.  The flagpoles and the gate will soon be moved along with other personal property. After today, January 8, 1995, Camp Valhall will no longer be our home.  Valhall Lodge will be 4906 [9936] Norman Avenue in Machesney Park, Illinois.  The motto of Sons of Norway is “Freedom, Fraternity and Progress.”  Valhall Lodge was consistently upheld all that is good in the Norwegian-American tradition.  As we consider our proud history, we look to carry that same fraternal spirit into our new lodge home and into the next century.

Note written by taken verbatim from Adjo Til Camp Valhall, January 8, 1995 found in Box 1, Folder 1.