From Ties to Concrete: Rebuilding Our Fraternity Sidesteps

In the early 1980s, a group of our fraternity brothers took on a rugged, practical project: they constructed the side steps leading from the street up to the house using old railroad ties. At the time, it was a solid and budget-friendly solution—durable, straightforward, and built with the same gritty resourcefulness that defined our chapter.

For nearly four decades, those wooden steps held up through countless winters, pledge weeks, Homecomings, and everything else students could throw at it. But by 2025, time and the elements had finally taken their toll. The ties were splintered, uneven, and a growing safety concern. We knew it was time for a permanent upgrade.

This August, we replaced the old railroad-tie steps with brand-new concrete stairs, marking a major improvement to both the safety and appearance of the property.

We’ll be adding a handrail shortly to further enhance safety, particularly in icy or wet conditions. It's another step (literally) toward maintaining and improving our chapter house for the long haul.

Special thanks to the brothers and alumni who supported this project—and to those who originally built the railroad tie steps, your work served us well for nearly 40 years.

Walking the steps