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Our
house sits at 206 South College Avenue, and was built in 1919 by the Knights of
Columbus. Following World War II, it
exchanged hands many times, serving as a
dormitory for Stephens College, the Olympia
Club, and a house
for other MU fraternities: Alpha Epsilon Pi, Beta
Theta Pi, Delta Upsilon, and Sigma Alpha
Epsilon. The house became the home of Beta Sigma Psi
in 1966. A ten-year lease-purchase
option was negotiated with the owners of the
house, Town Reality, Inc. Due to the
neglect by former owners, the house, then
referred to as the Ellis House, required
much hard work and cooperation from alumni,
parents, and the National Fraternity to make
the house a livable fraternity by the Fall
of 1967.
In 1975, with 50 men in the fraternity, the
lease was nearing expiration. Through
negotiations and the bargaining skills of
Henry Gerhardt and Tom Barklage (both Iota
alumni), a favorable contract was
negotiated. The house became property
of the Iota Chapter following signing on
February 16, 1976.
Through the 1980s, continuous improvements
were made to the house thanks to generous
contributions by dedicated alumni.
Additional improvements were made in the
late 1990s and early 2000s.
Over 500 college men have come through the
doors of this house and called it home since
1966. |
