New Chapter House Advancement
Our next big adventure is the development of a new Chapter House. We have spent over 50 years in 402 South, and the house is over 100 years old. Looking toward the future, we know that major repair or replacement is coming. After much discussion amongst the Alumni Board and other Brothers, we are pursuing advancement to our next Chapter Home with some property on Quincy St and closer to SD Mines campus. This endeavor requires a commitment from our Alumni, both financially from Brothers around the world and organization from our Alumni Board. A project of this scale is not possible without contributions from our generous alumni. If you feel like supporting, navigate through the link below or reach out directly to Black Hills Area Community Foundation. We thank you for your support.
Black Hills Area Community Foundation
Click below to donate directly to this fund
Chapter House Replacement Quasi Fund
6%Latest Milestone
In September 2026, the Triangle Board made the final payment to CARA to pay off our land purchase of 2.6 Acres on Quincy St.
History of SD Mines Triangle Fraternity
Triangle Fraternity at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (SDM) was formally established. Initially the Chapter was chartered from members of an existing Fraternity, Phi Kappa Phi.
1930
The first Chapter Home was at 130 Kansas City Street in Rapid City. The Chapter home remained at 130 Kansas City Street until the Spring of 1965. Brothers from that time reported that the reason the chapter moved from 130 Kansas City was the condition of the structure of the house. The front porch was sagging badly and the foundation was in trouble. Approximately 699 Triangle Brothers initiated at this Chapter Home. 130 Kansas City Street was purchased by Pennington County, then demolished and is now one of the Administrative Offices for Pennington County.
1965
A temporary chapter home was established at 1021 Quincy Street (The Sweeney House) from the fall 1965 until the spring 1967. There was a rental agreement with the owner of the Sweeney House. In the spring 1967 the owner of the Sweeney House decided he wanted to renovate the property and make it his permanent residence. Another move of the Chapter Home was needed. Approximately 62 Brothers were initiated at this Chapter Home.
The Triangle Alumni Board then made arrangements for lodging the brothers at the Sands Motel on South end of 8th Street for a very short period of time. Approximately 35 Brothers lived at this residence. The Sands Motel is now called Sojourn Vacation Rentals and Flats.
1967
In the fall 1967 the Triangle Alumni Board purchased the former Hobart Catron Funeral Home at 919 Kansas City Street. Plans were drawn to remodel the funeral home and that project started in the late fall of 1967. That project was completed in early March of 1968. Initiation week for Spring 1968 was held at the new Chapter Home that March. The renovation project was only accomplished through the consistent efforts of Alumni, Actives, Pledges and the wives of several alumni. The Alumni families assisted in the purchase of new furniture and window coverings for the home. Actives and pledges alike worked many hours doing the final painting of the interior of the house. It was determined after only a couple of years at 919 Kansas City Street that the Chapter Home would need to move closer to Campus. Approximately 62 Brothers were initiated at this Chapter Home. This property at 919 Kansas City Street is now a parking lot for the Rapid City YMCA.
1967
1970
The Triangle Alumni Board purchased the house at 402 South Street before the 1970-1971 school year. The first year of occupancy was the 1970-1971 school year. 402 South Street was formerly a Catholic nunnery built in 1910 with approximately 2510 square feet. Approximately 810 Brothers have initiated in this Chapter Home so far. Since that first year, the Chapter home has been continuously updated and improved to accommodate the needs of our Brothers attending SDM.
2021
The Triangle Alumni Board was approached by the neighboring Church to purchase the Chapter Home and SD Mines was looking at options to bring Fraternity Houses closer to campus. This led to the discussions of the Alumni Board to review the current living conditions of the Chapter Home. The aging structure and infrastructure needed consistent maintenance due to the wear and tear and annual use. Fundraising efforts began to raise money to pay for Chapter House Maintenance, but also to build capital to develop a new Chapter Home. Thus the accounts at Black Hills Area Community Foundation were created.
2025
In June 2025, the Alumni Board formed an agreement on new piece of land from CARA. The site includes 10 lots over 2.62 acres off Quincy St above Delta Sigma Phi along Kansas City St, a few blocks away from SD Mines campus. This property definitely has it’s challenges. It’s up on the hill, but that also means that it offers amazing views of Campus, M Hill, and the rest of Rapid City. The area can be observed as the shaded space in the photo below and can be viewed on google HERE.
In July, the Alumni Board hired FMG, a local geotechnical engineering firm, to conduct a preliminary geotechnical evaluation and provide a high-level analysis of the site development. As an added bonus, the two engineers on the projects were our very own SDM Triangle Brothers!
GEOTECH SUMMARY
2026
In July, we started work with FMG to work on the preliminary Site work and have discussions about what comes next.
Check back often for additional updated to the Chapter House Development.