University in Lafayette County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)

The Temple of the Star

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 1, 2023

1. The Temple of the Star Marker

Inscription. The Mystical Seven secret fraternal society, founded at Wesleyan University in 1837, established the Temple of the Star here at the University of Mississippi in 1859. In 1879 the Temple of the Star merged its members and rituals with Beta Theta Pi fraternity. It is recognized as one of the oldest Beta Theta Pi chapters and one of the oldest fraternal socleties on the campus of Ole Miss.

Erected by Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Fraternal or Sororal Organizations. In addition, it is included in the Mississippi State Historical Marker Program series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1859.

Location. 34° 21.845′ N, 89° 32.421′ W. Marker is in University, Mississippi, in Lafayette County. It is at the intersection of Chapel Lane and South Poole Drive, on the left when traveling north on Chapel Lane. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5 Chapel Ln, Oxford MS 38677, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the North Mississippi Hills. It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: David Gaffney Sansing, Sr. (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Guyton Hall (approx. 0.2 miles away); Longstreet Hall (approx. 0.2 miles away); Confederate Soldiers Cemetery

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(approx. 0.2 miles away); Civil Rights Monument (approx. ¼ mile away); University of Mississippi (approx. ¼ mile away); University Park/Old Swayze Field (approx. ¼ mile away); George Hall (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in University.

Also see . . . The Mystical Seven and the Temple of the Star. Of the original Mystical Seven organizations, only The Temple of the Star at Ole Miss survived into the post-bellum years. (Jim Woodrick, "And speaking of which..." blog, posted March 16, 2013) (Submitted on April 5, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 1, 2023

2. The Temple of the Star Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on April 5, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 5, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 509 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 5, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.