Label
1623-1629 Broadway St.
Historic Landmark designation
Sponsor: Gadus
Title
Declaring the intent to designate the building located at 1623-1629 Broadway Street, Toledo, Ohio a historic landmark; and declaring an emergency.
Summary
SUMMARY & BACKGROUND:
Dating back to 18th century England, the Independent Order of Oddfellows (IOOF) was established as a separate branch of the Grand United Order when members of the Manchester District voiced dissatisfaction with the fraternity. The IOOF was later brought to America by Thomas Wildey when he created Washington Lodge No. 1 in 1819. Founded on the principles of friendship, love, and truth, the IOOF aimed to give back to their communities and help in times of hardship. By 1842, the IOOF had broken away from England’s Manchester Unity and created the Grand Lodge of Maryland, establishing themselves as a fully independent order. This change sparked expansion across the country, resulting in additional lodges being built. This expansion, along with the introduction of the women’s branch of Odd Fellows, the Daughters of Rebekah, created an influx of new build opportunities for American architects.
In 1915, architect Sidney After was commissioned to design a new temple for Viking Lodge Independent Order of Oddfellows No. 892, located at 1623-1629 Broadway Street. It was designed as a three-story building with a basement, 75 feet of frontage and 120 feet depth, originally designed with the first floor as three business rooms and the second and third floors dedicated to Lodge use. The existing double height ballroom space on the second floor along with the attached third floor mezzanine was used for Lodge meetings with the front portion of the second and third floor acting as auxiliary space.
The building housed the IOOF for around 75 years until it was absorbed by Eva Rebekah Lodge No. 299 in 1991, it was then sold to Daniel Garza and transformed into La Garza Ballroom. La Garza Ballroom functioned as a dance hall and nightclub from 1991 to 1998. Due to a series of police reports pertaining to the activities at La Garza, lastly being a stabbing in December of 1997, the establishment was shut down. In April of 1998, when their liquor license was up for renewal, the police department implored the Ohio Department of Liquor Control to withhold La Garza’s license as they considered it to be one of the most dangerous clubs in Toledo with a total of 80 police reports between 1996 and 1997.
After La Garza Ballroom was shut down, it remained largely unused until the deed was given over to the city of Toledo and then to the Western Avenue Baptist Church of Toledo (now Mosaic Ministries), in 2013.
Mosaic Ministries, previously Western Avenue Ministries, has specialized in serving their community in South Toledo by providing groceries and meals to the impoverished. In 2010, they created Baby University to provide children aged 0-5 the support needed to get ahead before they started formal schooling. With the purchase of the Viking Lodge building located at 1623 Broadway, Mosaic Ministries aims to create an early education facility and expansion for Baby University.
The Viking Lodge is comprised of a three-story, 36,372 square-feet building constructed between 1915 and 1917. The property is situated on a triangular lot between Colburn and Congress Streets, in South Toledo. Access to the site is available from the alley off Colburn Street or from the adjacent site parking lot entrance.
The Viking Lodge is located within the Toledo Broadway Corridor Historic District, which was submitted to NPs for listing on the National Register of Historic Places in August 2026, with 1623 listed as a contributing property (Resource 31). Toledo Broadway Corridor Historic District is associated with the historic developments in Commerce through the period of significance, 1862-1950, retaining its integrity as a whole. Its setting, centered on the Broadway Street corridor from Garland Avenue to the north and Colburn Street to the south, evolving during the period of significance, from the late nineteenth century commercial core to the central commerce corridor district of the south side of the city. The location and setting provide the physical context for the growth and development of South Toledo through that period.
NOW THEREFORE, Be it resolved that:
SECTION 1. That this matter be referred to the Toledo City Plan Commission and the Toledo City Historic District for its review, recommendation and appropriate hearing date.
SECTION 2. That this Resolution hereby is declared to be an emergency measure and shall be in force and effect from and after its adoption. The reason for the emergency lies in the fact that same is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety and property, and for the further reason that this Resolution must be immediately effective so that the historic property will be eligible for the federal and/or state historic tax credit as soon as feasibility possible.
Vote on emergency clause: yeas _____, nays _____.
Adopted _________________, as an emergency measure: yeas _____, nays _____.
Attest: ________________________ __________________________________
Clerk of Council President of Council
Approved: _____________________ __________________________________
Mayor
I hereby certify that the above is a true and correct copy of an Ordinance passed by Council ________________________.
Attest: ________________________
Clerk of Council