Bloomington in Monroe County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Site of "Mollie Spaulding House"
Photographed by Daniel Barriball, June 19, 2025
1. Mollie Spaulding House Marker
At this site on January 5, 1911, ten Indiana University students formed what is now known as Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Today there are more than 760 collegiate and alumni chapters, with 150,000 members around the world, who have shared the same ideals and principles of achievement.
The Founders
Elder Watson Diggs Dr. Byron K. Armstrong Dr. Ezra D. Alexander Dr. Marcus P. Blakemore Edward G. Irvin Dr. Guy L. Grant John Milton Lee George Edmunds Paul W. Caine Atty. Henry T. Asher
Dedicated July 7, 2011 during the centennial celebration of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Erected 2011 by Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations. A significant historical date for this entry is January 5, 1911.
Location. 39° 9.998′ N, 86° 31.72′ W. Marker is in Bloomington, Indiana, in Monroe County. It can be reached from East Kirkwood Avenue west of N Dunn Street, on the right when traveling west. This marker is on the ground attached to the grating around a tree on
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Southern Indiana. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Black Market Firebombing (within shouting distance of this marker); Hoagy Carmichael (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); T.C. Steele Campus Studio (about 600 feet away); The Wrangler Society (about 600 feet away); Memorial Pillar and Centennial Steps (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Colored School (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Baier Gates (approx. 0.2 miles away); The River Jordan (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bloomington.
Also see . . . Kappa Alpha Psi History. Kappa Alpha Psi
Photographed by Daniel Barriball, June 19, 2025
2. Mollie Spaulding House Marker in context
Marker is on the ground attached to the grating.
The campus of Indiana University at that time did not encourage the assimilation of Blacks. The administration maintained an attitude of indifference as Blacks slowly matriculated and were likewise swiftly forgotten. The percentage of Blacks on campus was less than 1%. Blacks could go weeks without seeing one another on campus. Blacks were not allowed to reside in on-campus dormitories, were not afforded off-campus accommodations, were denied the use of all other university facilities, and were barred from participating in contact sports. Track and Field was the only sport in which Black students could demonstrate their athleticism.(Submitted on July 2, 2025, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana.)
In the school years of 1910-11, a small group of Black students attended Indiana University. Most of them were working their way through school. The number of places where they might assemble was limited. Realizing that they had no part in the universitys social life and were drawn together by common interests, they decided that a Greek letter fraternity would do much to fill the missing link in their college existence.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 18, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 2, 2025, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana. This page has been viewed 1,151 times since then and 857 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 2, 2025, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
