Community Center / Canteen
Mr. Sandy Smith build his North Union Street residence around 1868 on what is now a parking lot at the southeast corner of Killarny Avenue and North Union Street. In 1918 the residence became a YMCA, to be later converted in 1940 to the Community Center shown in the top image. The Community Center included a museum, swimming pool, and a library which utilized the bookmobile also shown in the image.
During WWII the Concord Community Center, noted in the top image, was used as the USO Canteen. Many of the soldiers came to Concord every weekend from Camp Sutton in Monroe, NC. The depicted sign directed the soldiers to the nearby Church Street Armory for sleeping quarters. The steps which now lead to Concord's Veterans Memorial area are the exact same stps that once led to the Community Center. A concrete marker shown in the lower left was typical of the markers used through Concord in the mid-twentieth century.
This entire Community Center complex was demolished in the mid 1970's when a new library was constructed across Union Street. (Marker Number 8.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Education • Parks & Recreational Areas • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1868.
Location. 35° 24.57′ N,
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. City Hall / Street Car (here, next to this marker); Odell, Coleman, and Gibson Mills (here, next to this marker); St. James Lutheran Church (here, next to this marker); Scotia Seminary (here, next to this marker); Concord Railroad Depot (a few steps from this marker); First Cabarrus Courthouse (a few steps from this marker); Red Hill Tavern (a few steps from this marker); Commerical Building (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Concord.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 23, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 23, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 107 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 23, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
