The Ohio chapter had its beginnings in the fall of 1946.
Similar to the other schools of the time, the campus of Ohio University
was crowded with many older men; among them were a number of Master
Masons. Naturally, men with common interests join together to share
their experiences. Soon over twenty Master Masons teamed to form the
Trowel Club which then became the Trowel Fraternity.
The members
of the newly formed Trowel Fraternity petitioned Ohio University in
January of 1947 to become recognized as a student organization of
young men around the campus possessing the state or quality of being
brothers commonly referred to as a local fraternity. Trowel Fraternity
was then informed that it first had to serve a two year probationary
period before the group could be formally recognized as a local fraternity.
At one of the meetings it was mentioned that a national fraternity
existed whose ideals were parallel to the men of Trowel.
One
of the members of Trowel was picked to contact this national fraternity
known as Acacia. A representative of Acacia soon made his way to Athens,
Ohio, to meet with the men of Trowel and decided these young men exemplified
the ideals of Acacia National Fraternity and their organization would
become an official chapter of Acacia. Trowel Fraternity spent its
next years forming a House Corporation Board in hopes of obtaining
a structure to house some of the men who would form this new fraternity
at Ohio University. During the summer of 1947, a house was leased
and the members moved into it in the fall of the same year. On February
12, 1949, the goal of Trowel Fraternity to become a chapter of Acacia
became a reality as the chapter received official recognition as a
student organization by the university and also an official chapter
of this fine national organization.
As with any organization,
the Ohio Chapter of Acacia National Fraternity experienced its ups
and downs. The fraternity had several houses over the years including
one at 101 University Terrace. The property was taken for urban renewal
by the University, who planned to build its accelerator project on
the land adjacent to the Acacia house. The University needed to take
down the house for the project. The house, at the end of Race Street,
was demolished. Two doors away down the hill, on University Terrace,
there used to be railroad tracks. By the tracks, was an old place
that sold hamburgers and balogna sandwiches, two for a quarter, in
the late '60s. The chapter called it "Slippery Jack's by the Tracks,"
and used to go there to play pinball machines. (Special Thanks to
Brother Brian Kinney #314)
The chapter experienced many successful
and prosperous years and even had plans to build a brand new fraternity
house which would be the envy of all the fraternities around. As on
most other campuses, the Vietnam War took its toll on the enrollment
of fraternities. Unfortunately, in 1970, the Ohio Chapter of Acacia
was forced to close its doors after initiating over 300 men over the
years.
The recolonization of Acacia Fraternity at Ohio University
began in the fall of 1987 during the expansion of the university's
Greek System. Leadership consultants had come to Ohio University the
previous spring and contacted student leaders around the campus about
beginning a new fraternity in the fall. Shortly after the beginning
of the quarter, Acacia increased its size by adding a total of 15
pledges to their roster - the largest in the chapter's history thus
far. On February 3, 1989, the Acacia Colony of Ohio University was
granted its official charter from International Headquarters. Acacia
alumni, university administrators, staff from the Acacia Fraternity
International Headquarters and Advisory banquet. Venerable Dean, J.
Scott Cleland, received the Order of Pythagoras at this banquet which
is the highest honor bestowed upon any Acacian.
In the spring
of 1989, Acacia participated in their first Greek Week as an active
chapter. Acacia, along with the Ladies of Chi Omega, won several first
place trophies and placed second overall among the numerous teams
of strong competitors. The greatest accomplishment was the securing
of a Chapter house which first became available for occupancy in June
of 1989. There were living quarters for upto 15 people, a meeting
room, a formal room and a game room located in the house at 113 North
Congress Street. The house gave the chapter a tremendous asset as
a tool for rush as well as a big boost in morale.
In 1992, Acacia
moved into the current house at 36 East State St. The house provides
larger common areas and an excellent location at the corner of College
St. and East State St. The house is located close to Court St. (Uptown)
and it is just a short walk from campus.
