Butte in Silver Bow County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Y.M.C.A.
Butte National Historic Landmark District
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 12, 2021
1. Y.M.C.A. Marker
Inscription.
Y.M.C.A.. Butte National Historic Landmark District. The cornerstone was laid in 1917 for this multi-purpose facility, designed by international Y.M.C.A architects. All contracting, however, went to local firms. The $350,000 building opened in 1919, entirely paid for by citizens’ contributions and built by local laborers. It was “in a very real sense a workingmen’s club.” The six-story landmark included a bowling alley, temperance bar, dormitory rooms, a cork-carpeted running track, and two-story gymnasium. Skylights originally brightened both the second-floor swimming pool and locker rooms, and the library was specially wired to accommodate a “moving motion picture machine” for use by mine rescue and first aid personnel. Following early-twentieth-century conventions, boys and men were strictly separated as the North Washington Street entry inscription “Boys Entrance” demonstrates. Today, the Y.M.C.A. is a fully integrated, co-educational facility.
The cornerstone was laid in 1917 for this multi-purpose facility, designed by international Y.M.C.A architects. All contracting, however, went to local firms. The $350,000 building opened in 1919, entirely paid for by citizens’ contributions and built by local laborers. It was “in a very real sense a workingmen’s club.” The six-story landmark included a bowling alley, temperance bar, dormitory rooms, a cork-carpeted running track, and two-story gymnasium. Skylights originally brightened both the second-floor swimming pool and locker rooms, and the library was specially wired to accommodate a “moving motion picture machine” for use by mine rescue and first aid personnel. Following early-twentieth-century conventions, boys and men were strictly separated as the North Washington Street entry inscription “Boys Entrance” demonstrates. Today, the Y.M.C.A. is a fully integrated, co-educational facility.
Location. 46° 0.752′ N, 112° 32.545′ W. Marker is in Butte, Montana, in Silver Bow County. It can be reached from West Park Street near South Washington Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 405 West Park Street, Butte MT 59701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in andspecifically outhwest Montana, in Gold West Country, in Mining Country. It is also in the American Mountain West and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor. Globally, it is in North America, the Rocky Mountains, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land and also the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Masonic Temple Annex-Fox Theatre (within shouting distance of this marker); Masonic Temple (within shouting distance of this marker); 412 W. Broadway (within shouting distance of this
Credits. This page was last revised on November 4, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 4, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 378 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on November 4, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
