Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity House
Also known as: Illinois Beta Chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon
Approximate location: the National Park Service places this pin arbitrarily within the property, not at a surveyed point (stated accuracy ±12 m).
Why it's listed
Built in 1907 at 211 E. Daniel Street in Champaign, this T-shaped fraternity house was home to the Illinois Beta Chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, founded at the University of Illinois in 1899. Chicago architects George and Albert Dean designed it, and local builder A. W. Stoolman constructed it for about $25,000. Brick walls, a stucco top floor, wide eaves, exposed rafters, limestone-capped piers and broad stucco window frames combine Craftsman and Prairie School ideas, setting it apart from the revival-style houses typical of campus Greek housing. Inside, oak woodwork, window seats and green glazed Roman brick fireplaces remain. Windows were replaced and some interior changes made after a fire and for safety codes. The house also served as quarters for military trainees in 1917-18 and 1942-45. It was recognized for its role in campus fraternity life and as a rare architectural example among 86 Greek houses at the university.
Significance in brief: It is significant under Criterion A as an early facility showing how Greek Letter Society housing contributed to higher education at the University of Illinois. Under Criterion C, it is a rare example of Craftsman and Prairie School elements among 86 Greek houses on the campus, most of which use revival styles. The exterior is largely unchanged and much original interior detail survives.
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 90000113, listed February 22, 1990. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 211 E. Daniel St., Champaign |
|---|---|
| County | Champaign County |
| Listed | February 22, 1990 |
| Reference number | 90000113 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1907 - 1939 |
| Architect / builder | Dean and Dean (architects); A. W. Stoolman (builder) |
| Architectural style | Bungalow/Craftsman; Prairie School |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Education, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still an active fraternity house, with minor interior changes for building code and fire safety, and windows replaced. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.10780, -88.23555 (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 90000113.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q20710448
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.