10/22/2026
The Long Blue Line goes right through this old house.
Marietta College's Homecoming 2026 concluded with an alumni breakfast at Gilman Dining Hall. Marietta Delt alumni who attended had the pleasure of meeting and having breakfast with Bob Brucken ‘56 (Alpha Tau Omega), who was visiting campus for his 70th class reunion.
Bob’s recollections of college life in the 1950s were highlighted by a story of particular interest to Marietta Delts.
In the 1950s, Bob’s fraternity chapter (Beta Rho chapter of Alpha Tau Omega) was housed at 219 Fourth Street -- the same house currently used by Delta Tau Delta - Epsilon Upsilon Chapter.
Bob recalled a fire at 219 Fourth Street in November 1953 which destroyed an entire wing of the house. Although there were no injuries, the fire required Marietta ATOs to move to what would be their next home for several years on Second Street.
The destroyed portion of 219 Fourth Street was never rebuilt. The house later served as home to three now-inactive sororities, the last being Alpha Sigma Tau, of which Bob’s daughter, Nancy ‘83, is an alumna.
The Epsilon Upsilon Chapter of Delta Tau Delta has lived at 219 Fourth Street, which is historically known as the Williams House, since 1984.
-- David Broome '88, Epsilon Upsilon Historian
