Marion had first YMCA building in Kansas
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff reporter
Historical records show that Marion had the first YMCA building constructed in Kansas. It was a product of the booming 1880s.
An article on the history of YMCA structures in Kansas, published in the March 2002 issue of Kansas Preservation newsletter, refers to conflicting accounts which name both Wichita and Marion as the first Kansas associations to construct YMCA buildings in 1888.
However, the following excerpt from the Oct. 14, 1887, issue of the Marion Record supports the fact that Marion's was built the previous year:
"Marion is erecting the first Y.M.C.A. building in Kansas. It will, when completed, be a substantial and beautiful structure, furnished with a library, a reading and school room, a gymnasium, bath room, and lecture room, and with all the modern appliances for such purposes, and will cost $15,000."
Earlier that year, in August, readers were encouraged to send in contributions for the project.
According to the Oct. 21, 1887, issue of the Marion Record, the state convention of the YMCA, held at Wichita, printed advertising circulars which included "a full picture of the YMCA building in Marion." Editor E.W. Hoch said the circular was "fine advertisement for Marion."
A month later, when Florence was considering organizing a YMCA, this description of Marion's organization was published in the Florence Bulletin:
"No one can fail to see what the association has done for Marion and the towns around us; not only giving them a moral religious tone but drawing in the best classes of society — to help build up and improve them.
"Its object is to lead young men in the paths of purity and truth; to pick them up out of a fallen condition, if such be the case, and reform and make men out of them; to shut up the place of vice and crime: to furnish moral entertainment for the young who would otherwise be wandering around the streets; to build up business; and by working out the direct object of the church, to be as great an organization."
The article stated that Marion had 100 members enrolled in the YMCA. A women's auxiliary also was functioning.
The Nov. 22 issue of the Record lists the following public achievements in Marion in 1887: Rock Island Railroad; $25,000 foundry and machine shop; $8,000 addition to the Methodist church; $20,000 Y.M.C.A. building; telephone exchange; water works and electric light plant at a cost of $75,000 to $100,000.
A picture of the Marion YMCA building appeared in the Chicago paper, Watchman, during the same month.
The Handbook of Marion County, Kansas, published in Chicago in 1888 contains a sketch of the building. On the front of the ornate building was the inscription: YMCA Building 1887.
The handbook stated:
"This noble structure, which is the only one of the kind in Kansas, is located in the very heart of the city upon lots valued at $5,000 and generously donated by Mr. Alex E. Case."
The handbook also stated that the building was elegantly and entirely furnished by voluntary contributions. It housed a library, reading rooms, gymnasium, meeting rooms, parlors, bath and class rooms.
From November 1887 to October 1889, the Marion YMCA published a newspaper, The Lower Light.
Sondra Van Meter in Marion County Kansas Past and Present (1972) mentions that the building did not exist long as a YMCA:
"The organization looked ahead to many years of service to the community, but before it was five years old, financial difficulties reduced its programs."
Although much of the building was turned into offices, apartments, storage, and retail businesses, it continued to be known as the "YMCA building."
Phyllis Melton of Marion remembers the structure well. Her parents moved to Marion in 1909. For many years, her father, S.W. Williamson, operated a furniture store in the building. He closed the store in 1936.
Melton said the three-story limestone building, which extended almost to the alley, was located at the site of Gene's Tire and Service Center at Fifth and Main. It contained beautiful wood and windows. The basement had a swimming pool and a bowling alley.
Melton also recalled that the building had an elevator which worked with ropes.
A second-story ballroom was accessed by way of a broad central stairway which led from the front of the first floor to the second floor. The ballroom had an arched blue ceiling adorned with stars.
Melton said a small second-floor balcony on the south side of the building was used by her family and friends to view Old Settlers' Day parades.
In 1935, Dr. Robert Melton, Phyllis' future husband, moved to Marion and established his office on the first floor of the building.
After the flood of 1951, he moved his office to the front of the second floor, where it remained until Dec. l, 1954, when the building burned to the ground.
For a long time, it was the only building in the block except for a small wood-frame hotel at the west end. The Marion Masonic lodge was housed on the second floor.
The first floor was vacant for quite a few years until C. B. Wheeler bought the building and later added another cut-stone building on the west which housed Marion Hospital for a time.
The fire
Melton recalls the night of the fire. She said it was 20 degrees outside. At least five fire departments responded as the whole inside of the building became engulfed in flames. When firemen sprayed water on the building, it formed ice on the street.
Two Marion fire fighting units received assistance from Hillsboro, Lincolnville, Florence, Peabody, and Cottonwood Falls in fighting the huge fire. They were able to prevent it from spreading to the adjoining building.
Melton said two small rooms with false ceilings remained after the fire was extinguished. So, Dr. Melton was able to reclaim patient histories, some lab equipment, and his desk. Everything else was lost.
Mr. and Mrs. John Suffield, who lived in a second floor apartment, also lost everything. A first floor bowling alley and recreation parlor were destroyed.
The stone walls that were left standing were knocked down the next day and the debris hauled away.
Another Marion landmark had passed into history.
