Beta Theta Pi Fraternity House
Also known as: Sigma Rho Chapter of Beta Theta Pi
Why it's listed
Fraternity members of Sigma Rho chapter of Beta Theta Pi occupy this three-story brick house at 202 East Daniel Street in Champaign, completed in 1912 on the former fairgrounds west of the University of Illinois campus. Frederick J. Klein of Peoria won a design competition with a neoclassical plan, and Champaign contractor A.W. Stoolman built it. A two-story entry porch with four Tuscan columns dominates the facade, and the interior features oak paneling, beams and a curving staircase. When occupied it was the largest fraternity house on campus, valued at $40,000, and it helped define the early fraternity district. A third floor over the west bay was added in 1928, a rear wing in 1931, and a kitchen extension in the 1960s. The house is recognized for its role in campus Greek life and as a representative example of Neo-Classical Revival architecture, with a significance period running from 1912 to 1939.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is one of the earliest surviving buildings reflecting the Greek Letter Society movement, which shaped higher education on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus (Criterion A). It is also a typical example of Neo-Classical Revival architecture (Criterion C). Integrity has been kept despite sympathetic additions and code-driven changes.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 89001108, listed August 28, 1989. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 202 E. Daniel St., Champaign |
|---|---|
| County | Champaign County |
| Listed | August 28, 1989 |
| Reference number | 89001108 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1912-1939 |
| Architect / builder | Klein, Frederick J.; Stoolman, Almon W. |
| Architectural style | Late 19th and Early 20th Century Revivals/Classical Revival (Neo-Classical Revival) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Education, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as education-related housing; the kitchen was extended in the 1960s and some windows were replaced to meet safety regulations. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.10798, -88.23579 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 89001108.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q20710633
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.