Kappa Kappa Gamma House
Austin, Travis County, Texas
Marker Inscription
The Beta Xi chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity was chartered at the University of Texas in 1902. The Beta Xi house association was formed in 1936, and construction of this three-story Georgian Revival sorority house began in 1938. Designed by noted Houston architect Birdsall P. Briscoe, the house features a two-story central entry porch, ionic columns and pilasters, and Greek details on the roof cornices. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark-1989
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
The Beta Xi chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma was chartered at the University of Texas in 1902, and its house association formed in 1936. Construction of this three-story Georgian Revival sorority house began in 1938 to a design by noted Houston architect Birdsall P. Briscoe, complete with a two-story entry porch, Ionic columns, and Greek detailing along the cornices.
Why it matters
Sorority houses trace the growing presence of women in American higher education in the early twentieth century, when campus life was rapidly expanding.
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Related people
- Β· Birdsall P. Briscoe
Themes & tags
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