The Beginning
1921-1926

The colorful history of Gamma Tau can be traced back to the fall of 1920. It was here that the original trio of Mayo Ferdon, Bill Ross, and J. Heustis Clark conceived the idea to start a local fraternity at Georgia Tech. Because of influence from Heustis' dad (a FIJI at Yale), the newly started local fraternity of Gamma Tau Delta set out to petition Phi Gamma Delta in May of 1921.

The local fraternity took great strides towards their goals by securing their first home on the corner of Peachtree Place and 10th Street in Atlanta. While serving its purpose, this house wasn't home long, as a new house was secured on September 1, 1922 on Fraternity Row at 71 North Ave. This new house, along with support from local graduates, and the formation of an Atlanta graduate chapter of Phi Gamma Delta, furthered Gamma Tau Delta towards a petition. On October 16, 1926, the dream was realized, when the Gamma Tau chapter of Phi Gamma Delta was officially installed at Georgia Tech.

The Depression
1929-1941

The stock market crashed in the fall of 1929. The effects of the crash soon reached student pocketbooks, and expendable income became scarce. By 1931 Gamma Tau began to feel the strain of the depression on their finances and membership.

In 1931, the Gamma Tau chapter attempted to recover operating deficits by operating the kitchen at a profit. As debts to local grocers rose, Gamma Tau stewards began waking up as early as 4 a.m. to go to the Farmer's Market to get cheaper prices. Despite these efforts, the kitchen invariably operated at a loss.

Despite these hardships, Gamma Tau held together. The chapter was fortunate to have concerned alumni who carefully watched the chapter's progress. Social events of the time were of a less extravagant nature during the 30's than those of the 20's. Social events included small house parties, picnics (complete with home-brew), watermelon cuttings, hay rides, swimming parties, and horseshoe contests.

The Ramblin' Reck parade was first held in November, 1933 and Phi Gamma Delta was the winner. The Ramblin' Reck and the Homecoming display were big projects during these years. The house was often decorated as a Fiji hut for Homecoming, with corn stalks over the front parch and Fiji Islander figures in the front yard. Another big event for the young chapter was the Pig dinner, which was often held at the Atlanta Athletic Club.

The 1930's were years of tremendous school spirit, but economic conditions forced everyone to pull together. Lack of funds sometimes led to a mundane social schedule, particularly in the early half of the decade. Genuine friendliness was the glue that bound members together, and this atmosphere enabled the fraternity to survive the rigors of the era.

The War Years
1941-1947

Pearl Harbor was attacked on December 7, 1941. The immediate declaration of war rocked the country, and it was to have a profound effect on Gamma Tau. The news was received at the fraternity house with quiet sobriety; the consequences were easy to predict.

Like many universities and technical colleges, Georgia Tech was converted into training institutions for military officers. Most Tech students were in ROTC programs, and many of those were in the navy V5 or V12 programs. Most students felt lucky they were not in combat.

The military environment created a curious circumstance at Tech. Students came to school knowing that they might not be able to continue because of the draft. Furthermore, if they were drafted, there was a distinct possibility that they would never return. This knowledge prompted a "live for the day" attitude, and students lived with abandon.

War conditions diminished Gamma Tau's membership so much that the house at 754 Williams Street was lost in the summer of 1943, after eighteen years of use. The chapter reported in May 1943 that it planned to "close its books until after the war" because of the number of members going to war. However, another house was rented on West Peachtree Street, but it was not feasible to keep it.

Furniture was stored and meetings were held at the YMCA on North Avenue. Membership became large enough in 1944 to enable Gamma Tau to rent a house from Georgia Tech. Located at 129 North Avenue, the new house was furnished with the stored furniture, and drapes were made by the mother of brother John Aderhold. The brothers soon resumed the lifestyle and traditions that had been known before the interruption.

Gamma Tau continued its social schedule, with record prties and an occasional band party. Dates were not hard to find because of a scarcity of single men in Atlanta during the war. Campus affairs began to return to normal shortly after Japan surrendered in September 1945.

A New Home
1962-Present

Gamma Tau moved into its new home in the fall of 1965, in time for the beginning of rush. Located at 841 Fowler Street, the chapter house was the realization of the "smoke dream" that began over ten years before. The story of its construction is one of devotion and tireless effort by many brothers.

The most recent addition to the FIJI house is the "addition". Built in 1995 by generous graduate donations, the "addition" expanded the house and has allowed brothers to dwell together more comfortably since.

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