Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity founded at Illinois Wesleyan University

Background. Illinois Wesleyan University is a private liberal arts college located in Bloomington, Illinois. The institution was founded in 1850, with its central campus acquired in 1854 and the first building erected in 1856. The university's campus occupies approximately 82 acres north of downtown Bloomington, providing the institutional context for the fraternity's founding in 1899.

Founding. On January 10, 1899, five students met at 504 East Locust Street in Bloomington to draw up the first constitution for a new fraternity at Illinois Wesleyan University. The organization was initially known as the Knights of Classic Lore, with its first public announcement appearing in the February 1, 1899, issue of the Argus, the university's student publication.

Early Development. The fraternity began renting rooms at several locations in the spring of 1899. It eventually acquired its first house, known as The Wilder Mansion, in September 1902. The first Conclave of the Grand Chapter convened on February 17, 1909, marking the transition to a national organization.