Bloomington Township in Monroe County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The River Jordan

Photographed by Daniel Barriball, June 19, 2026

1. The River Jordan Marker

Inscription.
Jordan Creek is a critical part of the history of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Kappa is the first national student organization founded at Indiana University and was established here on January 5, 1911. Its history tells of the many crossings of "The River Jordan" by its Founders. As it celebrates its 100th Year, the fraternity dedicates this "Bridge over the River Jordan" to commemorate the significance it holds for the organization.

Dedicated July 7, 2011 during its Centennial Convention and Celebration

Dwayne M. Murry, Esq.
Grand Polemarch

Richard Lee Snow
Executive Director/COO

Erected 2011 by Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Bridges & Viaducts • Education • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations. A significant historical date for this entry is January 5, 1911.

Location. 39° 10.073′ N, 86° 31.53′ W. Marker is in Bloomington, Indiana, in Monroe County. It is in Bloomington Township. It can be reached from East 7th Street near North Indiana Avenue. This marker stands at the southern foot of a bridge over the Campus River in Dunn

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Meadow west of the Indiana Memorial Union on the campus of Indiana University. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 900 E 7th Street, Bloomington IN 47405, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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: Memorial Pillar and Centennial Steps (within shouting distance of this marker); T.C. Steele Campus Studio (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hoagy Carmichael (approx. 0.2 miles away); Black Market Firebombing (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ernie Pyle (approx. 0.2 miles away); Integrating Basketball (approx. 0.2 miles away); Father James Martin Gilles (approx. 0.2 miles away); Site of "Mollie Spaulding House" (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bloomington.

More about this marker.

The River Jordan Marker in context image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Daniel Barriball, June 19, 2026

2. The River Jordan Marker in context

The marker is on the boulder just to the right of the bridge.

The stretch of Clear Creek that runs through the campus of Indiana University was formerly known as the Jordan River, named for past university president David Starr Jordan. In 2020, the university changed the name of the stream to Campus River after Jordan's support for race-based eugenics came to light.

Also see . . . History. Kappa Alpha Psi A history of the fraternity from its official website

On January 5, 1911, the fraternity was originally known as Kappa Alpha Nu, possibly as a tribute to the Black students of 1903 (the Alpha Kappa Nu Fraternity) who preceded them at Indiana University. These men of vision decided Kappa Alpha Nu would be more than another social organization. It would be the only Greek letter organization founded with the concept of achievement. Kappa Alpha Nu began uniting college men of culture, patriotism, and honor in a Bond of fraternity.

(Submitted on July 1, 2026, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana.)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 3, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 1, 2026, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana. This page has been viewed 20 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 1, 2026, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.