After having lost their first house for military use during the First World War, the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity of Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania had moved into East College. In 1922, however, the fraternity purchased the former home of Wilbur Fisk Sadler, a large white Victorian house situated on the southwest corner of College and Louther Streets. The ornate three story building was remodelled in 1928 to better accommodate the fraternity.

The brothers of Sigma Alpha Epsilon remained in this location until 1942, when the Second World War caused their numbers and support from their alumni to dwindle dangerously low and the fraternity was forced to sell the house. The number of members still at the wartime College remained so low for the next few years that a chapter house was not required. In 1946, however, the fraternity had recovered sufficiently to warrant the purchase of their third house.

The former Sadler house was later demolished and its site is now occupied by the Holland Union Building.