YMCA Building

The Young Men's Christian Association was founded in 1844 by George Williams, a London clerk, who was later knighted by Queen Victoria. In 1860 a unit was established in Kansas City under the leadership of the Rev. W. M. Leftwich, a pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, who emphasized that Kansas City was subject to many demoralizing influences, and that the Y.M.C.A. would have a beneficial effect. The Kansas City organization, like many others, suffered a setback during the Civil War. After the war it was revived and occupied buildings it owned at two different locations, at 10th and Walnut and at 9th and Locust (across the street from the old city library.) Twice before the turn of the century Dwight L. Moody, the evangelist, revived the group during large religious services held in Kansas City for young people. In 1906 Henry M. Beardsley, a councilman and later mayor, declared the Kansas City organization could raise $250,000 in 30 days. The drive raised $283,000 and the building at 10th and Oak, as pictured on the old post card, was the result. Louis Curtiss, a Kansas City architect, was the designer. The Y was formally opened in January, 1910, with an indoor swimming pool, track, cafeteria, night study classes, bowling alleys, chapel, game rooms and a clubroom for underprivileged boys. Kansas City Times, March 23, 1974.