Bryan House
Where: Next to Ballantine Hall, behind Delta Gamma.
The legend Bryan House is typically the home of IU’s president. President Michael McRobbie and his wife, Laurie Burns McRobbie, use the house as an office. A house cat, Hermie, is known to protect the grounds.
The Bryan House is also the location of a reception for incoming freshmen and outgoing seniors to talk to the administration about their life at IU. The landscape around the house reflects the theme of the president at the time. President McRobbie’s theme is sustainability.
Beck Chapel
Where: Across from Ballantine Hall and the Chemistry Building.
The legend Beck Chapel is IU’s non-denominational chapel on campus, and it was completed in 1956. It houses copies of the Bible and Torah and is open 24/7 during finals week.
Many IU sweethearts marry inside, but the chapel has been known to be booked for longer than a year.
Dunn Family cemeteries
Where: Adjacent to Beck Chapel and in front of Foster Quad.
The legend When IU bought the land from the Dunn family, there were a few stipulations. The first was that their family plots could not be moved, which is why there are two cemeteries on campus. There are no burials anymore, and most of the plots are marked with recognizable IU names.
The second stipulation was that for every tree IU cut down to construct a building, one had to be planted in its place. Herman B Wells later said for every tree cut down, two trees must be replanted. Additionally, the “Sweetheart Tree,” which currently stands inside the Chemistry Building, was not to be touched.
Herman B Wells statue
Where: Sitting on a bench on the west side of campus, near the Sample Gates.
The legend Herman B Wells was one of the greatest presidents in IU’s history, and the main library is named after him.
At freshmen orientation, parents are told if they shake Wells’ outstretched hand, their student will graduate in four years.
“Under Wells, ‘Go Gophers’ is carved because the architecture is from Minnesota,” former IU student Kyle Roach said. “IU has so many quirky things all over campus. You just need to go looking.”
The Rose Well House
Where: In the Old Crescent near Wylie and Owen halls and Dunn Woods.
The legend Built in 1908, the Rose Well House was originally part of the old College Building. Legend states that an IU woman is not an official co-ed until she is kissed in the well house at the 12 strokes of midnight. Another myth is that a couple will be together forever if they kiss at the 12 strokes of midnight on Valentine’s Day.
Showalter Fountain
Where: In the Fine Arts Plaza, in front of the IU Auditorium, between the Lilly Library and School of Fine Arts.
The legend The fountain depicts the birth of Venus. On the night of IU’s NCAA championship in 1987, students came to celebrate at Showalter Fountain and stole all the fish that surround her.
The fish slowly started turning up in random places on campus. One fish remained missing (with some saying IU wouldn’t win another championship until it was returned), but it was recast in spring 2011, and all the fish are finally back together.
