Bozeman in Gallatin County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

Bozeman YMCA

Bozeman Main Street Historical District

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 25, 2021

1. Bozeman YMCA Marker

Inscription. The Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA), founded in England in 1844, made its way to the United States in the 1850s. By the turn of the century, many American cities boasted YMCA facilities providing reasonable accommodations and physical fitness opportunities for young men. Montana was also part of this movement. By the early twentieth century, Billings, Kalispell, and Miles City had YMCA facilities. Bozeman wanted to follow suit and the community began to explore its options. Montana YMCA secretary Charles Puehler, recognizing Bozeman’s interest, arranged for the state convention to be held here in 1913. The building fund committees that formed at the meetings quickly reached their $65,000 goal. The Bozeman YMCA then formally organized on November 5, 1913, and groundbreaking for the new building took place in 1914. Designed by local architect Fred. F. Willson, the facility opened to the public in 1915. It was fully equipped and furnished thanks to an additional $1,500 donated by brothers Nelson and Byron Story. Decorative brickwork and a striking covered entry highlight the handsome building. The original Mission

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style interior included built-in seating in the lobby, 39 dormitory rooms that rented for an average of $10 a month, a white-tiled swimming pool, and one of state’s largest gymnasiums encircled by a banked cork running track. The building served as the YMCA until its conversion to the Boulevard Apartments in the early 1980s. Today it exemplifies the preservation of a significant community resource and its adaptive reuse.

Erected by Montana Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Buildings • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program series list.

Location. 45° 40.689′ N, 111° 2.24′ W. Marker is in Bozeman, Montana, in Gallatin County. It is at the intersection of West Babcock Street and South Tracy Avenue, on the left when traveling west on West Babcock Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6 W Babcock St, Bozeman MT 59715, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Yellowstone Country.

Bozeman YMCA and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 25, 2021

2. Bozeman YMCA and Marker

The marker is at the left side of the entrance, almost obscured by the pillars.

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: Federal Building and Post Office (within shouting distance of this marker); St. James Episcopal Church and Rectory (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Dokken-Nelson Funeral Home (about 400 feet away); Tivoli Beer Hall (about 500 feet away); Blackmore Apartments (about 500 feet away); Gallatin Block (about 500 feet away); Hotel Baxter (about 600 feet away); Gallatin Lodge No. 6 A.F. & A.M (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bozeman.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 15, 2022. It was originally submitted on February 15, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 248 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 15, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.