In the Spring of 1920, the Western Czech Brotherhood raised enough funds to build a new
lodge in Scio. Many of Scio’s early settlers were of Czech ancestry and had come to America to escape the
repressions of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The brotherhood formed by the Czech settlers was much
like the Grange formed by the English settlers, using their halls for social events and as a life insurance
cooperative.

The name of the brotherhood in Czech is: Zapadni Czesko Bratrska Jednota (ZCBJ) which
translates to Western Czechoslovakian Fraternal Association.

After the completion of the Scio lodge in 1922, it quickly became the center of social activities
in town. Polka dances were held on Saturday nights, many potlucks and dinners. The ZCBJ continued their lodge meetings and community activities until 1993, when, they deeded their hall to the Linn County Lamb and Wool Fair Association with the requirement that the hall would continue to be used as a community center.

Today The Hall is used for a myriad of functions including, weddings, receptions, anniversaries,
memorials, banquets, meetings, exercise classes, fundraisers, concerts, plays, auctions, flea markets,
reunions, luncheons, and parties. If you would like to rent the ZCBJ Hall for your event or for more
information about the Hall, visit us on the web at www.zhall.org and on Facebook at Scio ZCBJ Hall.