The Missourian had a story Feb. 17, 2013, that the Pi Kappa Alpha Memorial Lodge on South Sprigg Street down by the cement plan was going up for sale after 40-some years of testosterone and beer-fueled revelry. Chapter adviser Trae Bertrand was quoted as saying that the building is in “very poor” condition after repeated acts of vandalism.
Here’s a hint: if you are trying to sell something, it might be better if you didn’t use terms like “very poor” to describe it. I applaud his honesty, but question whether he is a business major.
Building had been Marquette School
Despite the fact that the Pike website said the building had been the Lafayette School, in reality it was the Marquette School until 1968. It was also supposed to be haunted by “Jessica.”
If you’re a Pike fan, here’s a piece I did about the Pike fire engine.
Pike Memorial Lodge photo gallery
Click on any photo to make it larger, then click on the left or right side of the image to move through the gallery. The little peek I got through a window leads me to concur with Trae: it DOES look like it’s in “very poor” condition, although the exterior walls and roof don’t look too bad. If you’re looking for a place that may or may not be haunted, give Trae a call.
The integrity of the building should certainly be considered but the integrity of the road to it is something that needs to be thought about. The frequent flooding and the HEAVY truck traffic have the road in a constant state of repair or need there of. It would be nice to think that someone could make the place useful again and improve a sad looking area.
These pictures are a very sad thing for me. We lived next door to the school for many years and it was a beautiful, well-kept property. My brothers and sisters and I went all eight grades there, our mom was the school cook for over 15 years, and our dad was on the school board. What a difference a few years make.
I hope this Pike post attracts as many posts as your Pike fire truck did, Ken. The comments on that one were a hoot!
My husband was a Pike in the early 60’s, before they had an official “house.” He and two roommates rented an efficiency apartment on Cape Rock Drive, where the parties were epic. (I wouldn’t know, as I wasn’t allowed at the wild ones!)
Do you have any photos of the frat house (pike?) at the intersection of old Sprigg and West Cape Rock Drive? That may be the house Ms. DeJournett was referring to.
There is a mobile home there now. Also, any pics of the old vet house that was located across from Twin Trees park?
Neither of those ring a bell for me. Sorry.
I spent many wonderful times at the Pike Lodge in the 80’s. I was a Tri Sigma at SEMO and ended up marrying one of my Pike buddies. The memories will stay with us both even if the building is not there.