Oxford in Butler County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Sigma Chi Fraternity Founding Site
Thomas Cowan Bell, James Parks Caldwell, Daniel William Cooper, Isaac M. Jordan, William Lewis Lockwood, Benjamin Piatt Runkle, and Franklin Howard Scobey met in a second floor room of this building to found Sigma Chi (ΣΧ) in early 1855. All but Lockwood had been members of Delta Kappa Epsilon (ΔΚΕ) but left over a disagreement as to who should be elected poet of Erodelphian, one of Miami University's literary societies. Runkle and Caldwell, who lived here, designed Sigma Chi's badge, the White Cross. Reflecting the ideals of Friendship, Justice, and Learning, the Brothers donned the badge and established Sigma Chi on Commencement Day, June 28, 1855. The founding of Sigma Chi completed the Miami Triad, which includes Alpha (founding) chapters of Beta Theta Pi (ΒΘΠ, 1839) and Phi Delta Theta (ΔΘ, 1848). Miami University and Union College in Schenectady, New York are known as the "Mother of Fraternities."
41st Grand Consul William P. Huffman purchased his fraternity's founding site in 1973. Built around 1818, the building housed a tavern, rooming house, drug store and hotel at various times between the creation of Sigma Chi in 1855 and 1973. Sigma Chi renovated and rededicated the site in 1993. Restoration work was done in time to commemorate the fraternity's 150th anniversary in 2005 and further site improvements were completed in 2017. Since its founding, Sigma Chi has installed more than 300 chapters and initiated over 340,000 members at college and university campuses across the United States and Canada. The Jordan Standard, articulated by Founder Isaac M. Jordan in 1884, defines a Sigma Chi as "a man of good character," and "a student of fair ability with ambitious purposes, a congenial disposition, possessed of good morals, having a high sense of honor, and a deep sense of personal responsibility."
Erected 2018 by The Sigma Chi Foundation and The Ohio History Connection. (Marker Number 40-9.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Communications • Education • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1855.
Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 39° 30.64′ N, 84° 44.498′ W. Marker was in Oxford, Ohio, in Butler County. Marker was at the intersection of East Park Place and East High Street (U.S. 27), on the left when traveling south on East Park Place. The marker is in an alley opposite a small park. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 22 E High St, Oxford OH 45056, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. Oxford Veterans Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lynching in America / Lynchings In Oxford, OH (about 400 feet away); Alpha Delta Phi (about 700 feet away); Mother of Fraternities (about 700 feet away); Oxford Female Institute / Caroline Scott Harrison 1832-1892 (approx. ¼ mile away); William Holmes McGuffey (approx. ¼ mile away); The Act of 1794 (approx. 0.3 miles away); Stanton's "Magnificent Dwelling" / Elizabeth Cady Stanton (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oxford.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 30, 2020, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 248 times since then and 35 times this year. Last updated on July 1, 2023, by Grant & Mary Ann Fish of Galloway, Ohio. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 30, 2020, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. 5. submitted on July 1, 2023, by Grant & Mary Ann Fish of Galloway, Ohio. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.