South Side in Houston in Harris County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Blue Triangle Branch, Y.W.C.A. Building
During World War I, a national representative from the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) worked with Jones to open a recreation center in 1917 in the Masonic building at 806 Clay. Following the war, the center applied to Houston's YWCA for branch status, which was given in 1920. The Blue Triangle Branch, YWCA, offered athletic, musical and educational programs for girls. In 1921, it opened a boarding house, which grew throughout the decade. During the Great Depression, the center closed the residence, but services expanded, helping hundreds of women and girls find work.
In the 1940s, the Blue Triangle YWCA began plans to build a new center. A group of women donated this site, and construction began in 1950 on the building designed by noted Houston architects Hiram A. Salisbury and Birdsall P. Briscoe. The architects chose a Transitional style, showing late Art Moderne as well as more contemporary elements. The building exhibits a semi-circular entry portico, casement windows and raised brick banding, with a fret pattern used frequently by Briscoe.
The Blue Triangle YWCA was an important part of the lives of the community's women and girls. Several women, including Lilla B. Love and Elizabeth E. Stevens, willed property to the organization in continued support of its mission. The Blue Triangle ended its YWCA affiliation in 1998. Restored and reopened by a community group, the new center offers youth and adult programs, and provides space for other groups.
Erected 2002 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 12935.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Churches & Religion • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations. A significant historical year for this entry is 1917.
Location. 29° 44.138′ N, 95° 21.441′ W. Marker is in Houston, Texas, in Harris County. It is in the South Side. Marker is at the intersection of McGowen Street and Sauer Street, on the right when traveling west on McGowen Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Houston TX 77004, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fourth Missionary Baptist Church (approx. ¼ mile away); Trinity East United Methodist Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); Greater Zion Missionary Baptist Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); Jordan Grove Missionary Baptist Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); Grand Court Order of Calanthe of Texas (approx. 0.3 miles away); St. John Missionary Baptist Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); Dr. Benjamin Jesse Covington and the Covington House (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Houston.
Also see . . . Blue Triangle Website. (Submitted on January 29, 2013, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 29, 2013, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. This page has been viewed 899 times since then and 85 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 29, 2013, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.