Joliet YMCA is a historic building in Joliet,

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History

Joliet YMCA was founded in April 1882. Like other chapters, Joliet YMCA promoted the health and welfare based on

Christian A Christian () is a person who follows or adheres to Christianity, a Monotheism, monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus in Christianity, Jesus Christ. Christians form the largest religious community in the wo ...

principles. Their first building was on Clinton Street, but struggled to remain financially viable. It was closed in 1901, and the building was sold to cover debts. In the 1920s, Illinois YMCA again wanted to place a building in Joliet. The plan for a new building came at a time of great prosperity for Joliet in the

Roaring Twenties The Roaring Twenties, sometimes stylized as Roaring '20s, refers to the 1920s decade in music and fashion, as it happened in Western world, Western society and Western culture. It was a period of economic prosperity with a distinctive cultura ...

. A fund-raising campaign raised the $450,000 required to cover the building expenses, with $200,000 from the

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.Illinois Historic Preservation Agency
/ref> The seven-story building was designed by the sons of Daniel H. Burnham. Though never matching the success of their father, the Burnham brothers designed several buildings, most notably the

Carbide & Carbon Building The Carbide & Carbon Building is an Art Deco high-rise built in 1929, located on Michigan Avenue (Chicago), Michigan Avenue in Chicago, Illinois. The 37-story, landmark is clad in black granite, green and gold terra cotta, with gold leaf and b ...

. YMCA opened on September 30, 1928. Several groups occupied the building, including

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, and

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. Use of the facility for women was initially limited, but in 1933 a Woman Division annex was proposed for the building. The

Great Depression The Great Depression was a severe global economic downturn from 1929 to 1939. The period was characterized by high rates of unemployment and poverty, drastic reductions in industrial production and international trade, and widespread bank and ...

put these plans on hiatus and the wing was not added until 1950.

References

{{Joliet, Illinois YMCA buildings in the United States Buildings and structures in Joliet, Illinois Culture of Joliet, Illinois History of Joliet, Illinois Clubhouses on the National Register of Historic Places in Illinois National Register of Historic Places in Will County, Illinois