Before it was converted into a house, the building served as the lodge for a secret society, Sphinx Head.

Just above the falls is the windowless former clubhouse of Sphinx Head.

In 1929 The New York Times held that election into Sphinx Head and similar societies constituted "the highest non-scholastic honor within reach of undergraduates."

Sphinx Head was founded on October 11, 1890 by a group of ten men from the senior class.

Each year, Sphinx Head usually taps fewer than forty men and women of the senior class for membership.

Sphinx Head has "retained an aura of mystery throughout its history on campus", holding some "closely guarded secrets and traditions."

Although membership in Sphinx Head is public, the proceedings of the Society remain concealed.

Many Sphinx Heads have attained great success and distinction in their post-collegiate careers:

Aleph Samach was a stepping stone to Sphinx Head and Quill and Dagger.

He was a member of Sigma Phi and Sphinx Head at Cornell.