Curated by Katherine Darrow

One hundred years ago in Port Townsend, a branch of the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) was located at Washington and Taylor Streets at the bottom of the Terrace Steps where Alchemy Bistro & Wine Bar is today. The front page of The Leader in 1924 featured an appeal to the community to raise funds for continued support of “the Y.” Back then, the pool was one of the most popular pastimes of young men who also came to the Y for meals, vesper services, and shelter. Today, a swimming pool, rather than billiards, is a primary amenity of the local YMCA, now located at 1925 Blaine Street.

Friday, February 8, 1924

Y.M.C.A. FUND DRIVE READY

Citizens Committee Will Ask for $500 for Budget

OVER SEVEN THOUSAND EXPENDED LAST YEAR

Indispensable Services Rendered Service Men, Visitors and Boys.

Next week is Army-Navy Y.M.C.A. week in Port Townsend.

Starting Monday, the “Y” business men’s committee will begin their annual canvas for funds among the business houses, citizens and residents of the city in support of the organization work here. As usual, Port Townsend is asked to contribute only $500 of the $7,000 annually budgeted for the Y.M.C.A. expenses here. Last year’s report shows that the organization spent more than $7,100 for maintenance here.

The “Y” business men’s board headed by James G. McCurdy includes Geo. Welch, N.A. Klasell, Dr. George Bangerter and John E. Dobbs. In the past years the business men and citizens have contributed the city’s share of the budget willingly, fully realizing the extent and value of the institution’s work here. It is expected that the committee will have little trouble this year with the splendid record of the “Y” for 1923 to point to.

First and foremost, the “Y” is a meeting place and recreation center of clean, wholesome atmosphere for the army and navy service men, who spend many hours and dollars in this city. Secondly, it has come to be a rendezvous for young men and boys of the city who spend many evenings and afternoons down town. The “Y” eliminates, to a great extent, gatherings in other less suitable places. The “Y” rest room facilities and courtesies are indispensable to visitors in the city, especially to visitors in the closing of the Hostess House on Union wharf.

Annual report figures show that nearly 38,000 have been checked in attendance at the “Y” during the past year. An increase was noted in letters written, articles checked, fellowship supper attendance, and total games played over last year.

Number lodged in building, 419

Money orders sold, $1031.81

Envelopes distributed, 2667

Articles checked, 1436

Fellowship suppers, 47; attendance, 1873

Pool games, 12,601

Other games, 4289

Number of baths, 506

Library books used, 849

Vesper services, 42; attendance, 1143

Testaments distributed, 148

Number of sick visited, 102

Note: Excerpts and ads from historic issues of The Leader are transcribed from archives in the collection of the Jefferson County Historical Society. JCHS accession #1924 Leader, 1999.36.105 was used for today’s column. Image from the collection of JCHS collection, ID #2005.74.62.