Phi Delta Theta--First Fraternity House Built in Irvington

      Theodore Kingsbury, the youngest son of James G. Kingsbury, graduated from the Winona Agricultural Institute in 1907. One year later, he enrolled at Butler University in Irvington where he played football. He also seems to have been involved with Phi Delta Theta Fraternity along with his nephew, Layman Kingsbury. His association with the fraternity came at an important time for the organization as the men had just built their first chapter house near the campus on the northwestern corner of Emerson Avenue and East Washington Street. 

     Architect, Frank B. Hunter, designed the two-story residence as a bungalow in the spring of 1908. On the first floor he placed the chapter hall and study room. He located the dining room and kitchen in the basement, and he situated the sleeping rooms on the third floor. Lt. Governor Hugh T. Miller, a legacy of the fraternity, helped to dedicate the new house on November 19, 1908. The structure cost $3500 and was the first fraternity house ever built in the neighborhood. Other fraternities generally rented existing homes. 

     With the arrival of the new Pleasant Run Parkway, the fraternity relocated west of the stream at 5020 East Pleasant Run Parkway North Drive in 1915. The site of the former home became a small park dedicated to the memory of Hilton U. Brown, Jr., who died in World War One. To see many more photos of the Phi Delta Theta home, including interior shots, click on the "Phi Delta Theta" link below. 

The Phi Delta Theta Fraternity House, c1908 used to be located on the northwestern corner of Emerson Avenue and East Washington Street.  It was moved in 1915 to its current location on the northwestern corner of Pleasant Run Parkway and East Washington Street. The home barely visible in the background belonged to cartoonist, Kin Hubbard, who lived at 5070 East Pleasant Run Parkway North Drive. (photo courtesy of the Kingsbury family)

Frank B. Hunter designed the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity House in 1908. (Indianapolis Star, May 2, 1908, p. 4)

Up Next: A Young Couple Moved to Lowell Avenue in 1912     

     I wish to thank Kathy and Dick Meyer for the use of the Kingsbury family photo collection. 

Sources:  Construction and design of house: "Building Permit," Indianapolis News, April 17, 1908, p. 20; "Butler Phi Delta Theta House Now Under Construction," Indianapolis News, May 2, 1908, p. 4; "Phi Delta Theta House," Indianapolis News, November 20, 1908, p. 7; Moving of house: "Building Permits," Indianapolis Star, August 24, 1915, p. 12. 

A New Address--A Moving Experience

Many of Irvington homes along East Washington Street have been moved.  As the desire for commercial development expanded, homeowners had an opportunity to make some money.  Unfortunately, several houses fell to the wrecking ball over the years to filling stations, pharmacies, and parking lots.  Some neighbors saw another option of moving the house to the back of the lot or another location entirely.  In 1918, Mary A. Black, a widow, lived in a very large Victorian home on the northeast corner of East Washington Street and North Hawthorne Lane.  She had been renting rooms to people over the years and at some point she must have been approached by a speculator who saw her corner as an opportunity.  In 1919, the large home was moved from its location at 5318 East Washington Street to 15 North Hawthorne Lane.  While it was not a far move, I can only imagine how difficult it must have been to raise the home off of its foundation and turn it to face Hawthorne.  Mrs. Black continued to rent rooms.

15 North Hawthorne Lane used to face East Washington Street (shown here in 1924)

Phi Delta Theta Home at 15 North Hawthorne Lane in 1924

Throughout the 1920s, Phi Delta Theta fraternity members lived in the house.  After Butler moved out of Irvington in 1928, the home reverted to being a private residence. In 2012, the current homeowners fell victim to a damaging fire.  The home is currently being repaired from that event.  The vacated corner on East Washington Street hosted a filling station for several decades.  In the 1990s, the lot became the site for medical offices.

Homecoming at Butler fraternity house--1920

This fraternity house located at 5020 East Pleasant Run Parkway North Drive looks very festive for the Butler University Homecoming Football game in 1920. Notice the mock tombstones for the opposing team and the large American flag nailed over the fireplace chimney. A young sycamore tree is still leafed out along Pleasant Run Parkway and is starting to tower over the wonderful street light. This image is courtesy of Amy Friedly. You may learn more about this house by clicking on the "fraternity" tab below.

5020 East Pleasant Run Parkway North Drive-1920

These stunning photos show a Butler University fraternity house and its members in 1920. A previous post of this home may be seen by clicking on the label "Butler." There are so many things I love about these photos. Notice the woodwork, the furniture, the fireplace mantel, and the clothing on the young men. In the bottom photo, a young man appears to be pontificating to the members. Notice the animal hide on the table in front of him and the animal head hanging above the woodwork. One person leans against a Victrola. These wonderful photos are courtesy of Amy Friedly, the great great granddaughter of Hilton U. Brown, Jr.

Phi Delta Theta House--1908/1925/2011

Most Butler University fraternity and sororities bought or leased existing homes throughout Irvington. Sometimes they would only stay in a house for one or two years before moving on to a larger home. Phi Delta Theta Fraternity is one of those rare exceptions as they actually built a house in the neighborhood. Founded in 1859 at the downtown campus, the organization was one of the most active while at Irvington. They originally met above Moore's Hall (demolished) on South Aududon Road. In 1908, they constructed a house at the intersection of what was then Emerson Avenue and East Washington Street. The home sat in a beautiful location and was a lovely site for campus dances and parties. However, within two years the structure sat in the way of a planned boulevard called Pleasant Run Parkway designed by George Kessler. The chapter lost most of their real estate and the house was moved to the back of the lot.

You will note that on the facade of the fireplace, the Phi Delts placed part of their crest, a sword shaped like a cross. In the top photo, you can see the home shortly after it was built in 1908. Some features look like they were changed when it was moved to its present location in 1910 or 11. In the second photo you can see the Phi Delta Theta crest. In the third picture you can see the home as it appeared in 1924. By this point, members of the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity moved into the home as the Phi Delts needed a larger house and they moved to 15 North Hawthorne Lane. In the bottom photos you can see what the home looks like in 2011. The home has had a variety of addresses as the city struggled to decide what street it was really on. For many years it was known as 6 North Pleasant Run Parkway, but today it is numbered at 5020 East Pleasant Run Parkway North Drive. After Butler moved out of Irvington in 1928, the home served as private residence for many families.

Underneath that vinyl siding is dark stained wood just waiting to emerge. You will note that the porch has also been enclosed. Perhaps someday this home shall return to its original craftsman era design.