Joliet YMCA facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Joliet YMCA
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 Location in Illinois
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| Location | 215 North Ottawa Street Joliet, Illinois |
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| Built | 1928 |
| Architect | D. H. Burnham & Company |
| Architectural style | Georgian Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 06000010 |
| Added to NRHP | February 9, 2006 |
The Joliet YMCA is a special old building located in Joliet, Illinois, United States. It's known for its history and the important role it played in the community. The YMCA is a place where people can go for sports, fitness, and community activities.
Contents
A Look Back: The YMCA's Journey
The Joliet YMCA started a long time ago, in April 1882. Like other YMCA groups, its main goal was to help people stay healthy and well. They wanted to encourage good values, based on Christian ideas of caring for others.
Early Days and Challenges
The first YMCA building in Joliet was on Clinton Street. However, it was hard for them to keep enough money to stay open. Because of money problems, the building closed in 1901. It was then sold to pay off what they owed.
A Fresh Start in the Roaring Twenties
Years later, in the 1920s, the Illinois YMCA wanted to open a new building in Joliet. This was a time called the "Roaring Twenties" because Joliet was doing very well. There was a lot of excitement and growth in the city.
People worked together to raise money for the new building. They needed $450,000, which was a huge amount back then! A big company called the United States Steel Corporation gave $200,000 to help.
Designing a Landmark Building
The impressive seven-story building was designed by the sons of a famous architect named Daniel H. Burnham. While they didn't become as famous as their father, the Burnham brothers designed many buildings. One of their well-known works is the Carbide & Carbon Building.
The new Joliet YMCA officially opened its doors on September 30, 1928.
Community Hub and Growth
Many different groups used the YMCA building. These included the Rotary Club, the Lions Club, and the Boy Scouts of America. It was a busy place where people could meet and do activities.
At first, there were not many activities for women at the YMCA. But in 1933, there was a plan to add a special section just for women. However, a tough time called the Great Depression happened. This was when many people lost their jobs and money was scarce. Because of this, the plans for the women's section had to wait. It was finally added to the building in 1950.
The Joliet YMCA building is an important part of the city's history. It shows how communities can come together to support health and well-being for everyone.
