Scottish Rite Dormitory

210 W. 27th St., Austin, Texas. County/parish: Travis.

Added to the National Register of Historic Places April 23, 1998. NRIS 98000404.

1 contributing building.

From Wikipedia:

Scottish Rite Dormitory

The Scottish Rite Dormitory (SRD) is a private women's dorm for the University of Texas built and operated by the Scottish rite of Freemasons in Austin, Texas. Located just north of campus on 27th Street and Whitis Avenue, the colonial revival style building was completed in 1922 during a housing shortage on campus and was intended to provide housing for the daughters and relatives of Master Masons.

Since its origin the building has relaxed its entry requirements somewhat, but is still well known among UT students for its strict rules only allowing male visitors during certain hours. Many girls are wait-listed for entry to the dorm beginning in high school or earlier. Residents are often referred to as SaRDines. The dorm also employs young men as waiters and dishwashers.

Old jokes about poor institutional food, especially in dormitories have never applied to SRD. Girls who have lived there usually mention the food first when expressing their feelings about the dormitory. One special dessert every SRD alumni nostalgically remembers is Chocolate Crumble Balls (CCB's). In addition to daily meals, the kitchen staff prepared special refreshments for birthday dinners, pajama parties, and other special occasions, such as the spring formal.

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National Park Service documentation: https://catalog.archives.gov/id/40973845

LC