Cerro Gordo County Iowa
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15 N. Pennsylvania, Mason City IA
Mason City's Y.M.C.A. building was dedicated in 1927.
Mason City's Y.M.C.A. building was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 2, 2002.
Globe Gazette
Not long after the Armistice, 1918, Mason City celebrated another important event, the dedication of the newly completed YMCA. This took place Nov. 24, 1918, marking the climax of a campaign that had started in 1913 when a group of Mason City business women wrote the national organization. Two Mason City women, Miss Gertrude Decker and Mrs. Gertrude Albert, with the experience of College Y, were instrumental in organizing the local Association and setting it up to conform to the policies and purpose of the great National and International Young Women's Christian Association. In 1912, there were 900 girls employed in Mason City and living elsewhere who needed a place for recreation and fellowship. Since the needs of a community determine the program of an Association, the local YMCA has provided a constantly changing program from that time to the present, to need the needs of this community. Miss Margaret O'Connor, secretary of the North Central Field, was brought to Mason City in October, 1912, to consider the organization of a YMCA. The completion of the YW was in marked contrast with the YMCA, which organized in 1892 and was not to enter a new building until 1927. It was in the evening of May 6, 1892 that a group of young men gathered in the office of Atty. J. J. Clark and organized the Young Men's Christian Association in Mason City. Clark was named president of the association and served as one of its leading figures until his death in 1937. C. H. McNider, who later was to head the building program, was named treasurer and J. C. McNeil, secretary. Named as board members were E. P. Fox, Dr. E. McOwen, E. E. Stephenson, G. F. Hull, B. Bird and H. A. Dyer. At its first annual meeting on Jan. 14, 1894, the association had a membership of 156. At a board meeting April 1, 1901, a committee was named to investigate the possibility for a new building. But the YMCA wasn't to acquire a building until a quarter of a century later. An organization meeting was held on May 13, 1913, in the Baptist Church. A full Board of Directors was named; a constitution and by-laws written and a motion passed to affiliate with the National association. The location committee reported two available locations; the finance committee reported $3,071.00 on hand; the membership committee reported 454 members. On May 14, the Board of Directors, with Miss O'Connor presiding, elected the following officers: President, Mrs. Gertrude Albert; vice-president, Miss Dora Holman; corresponding secretary, Mrs. J. G. Melson; recording secretary, Miss Georgia Hanford, and treasurer, Mrs. Etta Storer. An executive committee, composed of Miss Anna Stanbery, Miss Gertrude Decker and Mrs. J. W. Adams, was named. A Board of Trustees was composed of Jay E. Decker, C. H. McNider, Charles Damon, Mrs. James E. Blythe and Mrs. Elsham. A motion was made to ask the YWCA field committee to send a trained General Secretary to Mason City. The boards of directors and trustees on May 20 decided to purchase the H. L. Smith residence at the southwest corner of State and Adams for $12,000. That YWCA home was formally opened Sept. 24, with about 400 women and girls attending. Board members were hostesses, an orchestra provided music and refreshments were served. Mrs. Albert introduced Miss Howard, general secretary, and Miss Rohr, cafeteria director. The next noon the cafeteria opened. For some time, volunteers helped prepare and serve food, attend the cash register and act as hostesses during the meal time. Soon the expression "we need more room" was heard on all sides. By 1916 the membership was 1,035 and plans for enlarging the building were considered. "Move the present building to the back of the lot, erect a new building that will be adequate for years to come and do not sell an inch of the ground for Mason City is growing and has a promising future," was the advice of the trustees. It was voted to put on a campaign to raise $75,000. The Ministerial Association, Chamber of Commerce, and many local businessmen and women gave endorsement to "The greatest civic project that has ever come before the people of Mason City." The building committee consisted of Mrs. Anna Patton, Mrs. J. W. Adams, Miss Gretrude Decker, Mrs. C. H. McNider, E. L. Balz and Jay E. Decker, with Mrs. Ralph Stanbery as treasurer. Plans were drawn and the contract let for a building with a regulation sized swimming pool, the first in Mason City, a gymnasium, cafeteria, reception rooms, offices, club and class rooms. The estimate of $75,000 was not sufficient and $40,000 in bonds were issued. On Nov. 21, 1918, the new building was opened. In 1928, a drive to raise funds to wipe out all debts and provide two years running expenses was over-subscribed by $1,000. Projects in which the local YMCA pioneered until such time as other organizations were ready to take over are: A camping program for girls, community concerts or lyceums for adults, stay at home camp; the forerunner of summer playground programs, adult education classes and garden clubs in 1935, the sunrise Easter service, a combined program of the YMCA and YWCA, a Thanksgiving hymn service in 1939.
C. H. McNider, chairman of the construction committee, is shown above taking the first shovelful of sod to start the excavation for the construction of the Mason City YMCA in 1925. Shown with him from left are members of the committee and board, George S. Marty, Dr. George M. Crabb, W. S. Wilcox, Henry J. Steinberg, C. G. Maudsley, William H. Hathorn, J. A. Van Ness, Frank J. Hanlon and Secretary C. G. Gilman. The building was dedicated free of debt Dec. 11, 1927. Because of the insufficiency of funds the third floor was never finished. With a bequest of $50,000 from the estate of B. C. Way, it will now be possible to complete the building, work on which is expected to start in a short time, adding to the dormitory rooms in the building.
The YMCA building was completed in 1926 at a cost of $250,000 plus $18,000 for equipment, marking the final triumph of a hope that had started in 1892 when the Young Men's Christian Association was organized in Mason City. Although previous efforts had been made to get a building started, it wasn't until the arrival of C. E. Gilman as general secretary June 1, 1921, that effective work for a building got under way.
In June, 1924, a committee composed of Chairman McNider, B. C. Keeler, W. L. Patton, Frank J. Hanlon, W. F. Muse, W. E. Brice and Jay Decker, started a campaign to raise $300,000. By the following September the campaign goal was reached with 3,400 persons signing pledges.
While the building was completed in 1926, Chairman McNider refused to turn over the structure to the association until it was free of debt. This took place at a dedication ceremony Dec. 11, 1927. The YMCA board was then made up of W. I. Patton, J. A. Van Ness, George S. Marty, C. G. Maudsley, Jay Decker, Dr. George M. Crabb, W. F. Muse, J. W. Beck, H. J. Steinberg, W. H. Hatborn, Shad Morgan, E. H. Wagner, G. C. Blackmore, W. S. Wilcox and J. H. Marston. With the completion of the building there began a program of the association that reached a large number of men and boys. Under Gilman's guidance volunteer leadership was developed. A service started in 1927 was the giving of boys memberships in the YMCA. This was part of the Kiwanis Club's general program of aiding underprivileged and physically handicapped children in the community.
Globe Gazette
Program Will Include Swimming and Lobby Games for YM Boys The summer program of the Mason City Y.M.C.A. will get under way Monday, officials announced Thursday. In the swimming program, the grade school pupils are scheduled daily from 3 to 3:30 p.m. The high school class is listed daily from 3:35 to 4:15 p.m. The Globe-Gazette and employed division will swim on Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays from 7 to 7:30 p.m. and on Saturdays at 2:30 p.m. Preps will swim Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays at 10 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. In the special high school class, the schedule will be daily from 2 to 2:50 p.m., on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:15 to 5:30 p.m. and on Fridays from 7:30 to 8:15 p.m. Leaders and life saving classes will swim from 11 to noon on Mondays and Wednesdays. A new group, the swimming club testing, will be held on Saturdays from 9 to 10 a.m. Norman "Lefty" Alsbury will be in charge of the pool during the summer season. The lobby will be open daily from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m., on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 7 to 8:35 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. A. H. Searle, associate boys' work director, will be in charge of the lobby program.
Globe Gazette
Mason City Y.M.C.A. Plans Full Card of Sports for Season Fall and winter gym and swimming schedules will move into full swing at the Mason City Y.M.C.A. Monday, it was announced Wednesday by Herb Templin, physical director. Conditioning classes will get under way at noon Monday to start the ball rolling. The classes will be held on Mondays and Tuesdays with volleyball scheduled for Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Volleyball also will be held in the evenings on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Workouts for the young men's division will get under way Monday night and also will be held on Wednesday evenings. The leagues will be held on Monday and Tuesday nights. Badminton will be held this year on Tuesday evenings. Wrestling will be conducted on Wednesday nights and apparatus and tumbling classes will be held on Tuesday nights. Handball and individual workouts will be scheduled daily. The boys' swimming classes will start on Monday under the direction of Gene Kershaw. Carl Michel will handle the masseur work this year. He has a modern health department for the treatment of bruises, colds and other minor physical ailments.
Globe Gazette
For the fourth year, LeRoy Mott, Mason City wrestler and winner of high school mat honors, will conduct wrestling
classes for men and boys in the Mason City Y.M.C.A. The classes will get under way Wednesday night and will be held
on that night throughout the season. The men's classes will be held from 8 to 9:30 p.m. The classes for boys 11 to 18
years of age are scheduled from 7 to 8 p.m. Mott was an outstanding wrestler from the Mason City high school team and
won honors on the grid iron for the Mohawks.
Globe Gazette
"Bud" Suter, assistant Mason City high school football coach, will open the basketball clinic at the
Mason City Y.M.C.A. Monday at 7:30 p.m. with a talk on defensive work on the courts. The clinic will be staged for the
young men's division of the Y.M.C.A. on three Monday nights, Nov. 11, 18 and 25. "Judge" Grimsley, high school basketball
coach, will be the speaker at the last two meetings of the clinic. He will discuss offense, new rules and the development
of basketball. Classes at the Mason City Y.M.C.A. will be conducted Monday, Armistice day.
Globe Gazette
All returned servicemen will be given six months privileges of the YMCA, it was voted unanimously by the
board at its regular meeting yesterday. This will apply to any serviceman mustered out before the war is over as well
as those who do not return until the war has ended.
Globe Gazette
. . . The YMCA is going to develop the previously unused top floor of that building to provide twice as
many sleeping rooms as now. Part of the cost will be met by the grant of $50,000 in the will of the late B. C. Way.
John Calhoun, secretary of the YMCA, is doing a little checking on the third floor of the YMCA, which will be finished into a dormitory during 1954. The addition will increase the sleeping area of the Y 50 per cent and will cost approximately $50,000. There are 34 room snow being used on the second floor. The biggest piece of equipment added for some time was the new trampolene (sic) in the physical department. This is proving very popular. Handball participation also has increased greatly during the past year. Income for 1953 was $42,520.85 and expenses, $43,776.08.
Transcriptions and Submission by Sharon R. Becker, November of 2013
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Demonstrating one of his favorite Bible passages that "faith without works is dead" Gilman mobilized the community for
the effort under the leadership of C. H. McNider, who had served as treasurer of the association for most of its existence.
Gene Kershaw, 24, native of Mason City, has been named swimming and boys' physical instructor at the Mason City Y.M.C.A.
Kershaw was graduated from the State University of Iowa where he won three major letters in swimming in 1937 to 1939. He held
the state AAU championship in swimming the dashes in 1938 and 1939. He has done volunteering leadership work at the Cedar
Rapids Y.M.C.A. and in the Iowa City high school. While at Cedar Rapids he was head life guard at the swimming pool for
two years. He worked on a recreational project in Mason City last summer. Kershaw is married, has a son and is a member
of the Methodist church. (Lock photo, Kayenay engraving.)