SIGMA ALPHA EPSILON
247 Pulaski Street
(706) 543-7095
The Georgia Beta Chapter, founded December 31, 1865, was the first fraternity to be founded at the University of Georgia. SAE prides itself on an excellent social calendar which includes Doc Banks Alumni Weekend in the fall and Magnolia Ball in the spring.
Some noted Georgia Beta alumni include former UGA President Fred Davidson, former Georgia Governor Richard B. Russell, and former NFL quarterback Fran Tarkenton. These fine men are the indication that SAE has a strong following nationally as well as locally.
Sigma Alpha Epsilon was founded March 9, 1856, at the University of Alabama. Since its inception, it has grown to become one of the largest national social fraternities, with over 200,000 initiates. Sigma Alpha Epsilon was the first fraternity to build a national headquarters, and the first fraternity to establish a leadership school for its members.
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The Ross Crane House is located at 247 Pulaski Street (Tax Parcel No. 17-1-A2-E-007).
This two-story brick dwelling built in the Greek Revival style possesses a four-over-four room, central hall plan. A full facade Doric porch with square tapered columns shelters a Greek Revival entrance, embellished by fluted pilasters with entablature and a transom with corner and sidelights. Above the central entrance, a doorway of similar configuration opens onto a balcony with a distinctive diamond-patterned railing. Stone lintels cap the windows and accent the stone foundation. Added in the 1930s, two side wing additions adjoin the main building.
Ross Crane, a native of New Jersey, arrived in Georgia in the 1830s and purchased the two-acre site from Esther Finley in 1839. About 1842-1843, Crane built this dwelling. He subsequently constructed several other significant buildings in Athens, such as the Hamilton House and the First Presbyterian Church. A public auction was held after Crane and his wife died, and William E. Alexander acquired the house in December 1870. In 1877 Simon Marks bought the home, and eventually his heirs transferred ownership to the Athens Lodge, Order of Elks around 1920. The Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity purchased the property in 1929 and completed interior alterations so that the house might serve as a dormitory and facility for its social organization.
The Ross Crane House was documented by the Historic American Buildings Survey (GA-1111), is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (June 18, 1979), and has been locally designated as a Historic Landmark (January 8, 1991).