Quote:
Originally posted by Firehouse
I think Beta Theta Pi actually built and ran a retirement home for Betas up in Michigan around the turn of the last century.
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I think you're referring to Wooglin-on-Chatauqua, and it was in upstate New York. It was simply a vacation spot/clubhouse, not a retirement home. It was a private venture, not an actual fraternity endeavour, however it was a popular place for our Annual conventions from 1884 until 1893, hosting 8 of 10 years. Financial difficulties forced the sale to a NY firm, and on June 28th 1901, lighting struck the clubhouse setting it on fire.
Remarkably the area is still referred to as Wooglin by local residents though they have no idea where the name came from.