YMCA of Corsicana

Duane's take

Here's how the official marker tells it, and I'll do my best to do it justice. Back in 1884, the Young Men's Christian Association of Corsicana opened its doors, and here's something worth letting sink in: it was one of only two YMCAs in the entire state of Texas at that time. Two.

In all of Texas. Corsicana was not playing around. The man who stepped up as first president was E.

W. Johnson, known to his people as Wiley, and in those early days the organization met in a room right above the First National Bank offices. Not a grand hall, not a purpose-built facility, just a room above a bank, where the business of building up young men got quietly underway.

Meetings later moved over to the Dyers Dry Goods building at 107 South Main, which tells you something about an organization willing to work with what it had while it kept growing. Then came 1913, and with it a milestone. During the presidency of Frank Neal Drane, groundbreaking ceremonies were held for a brand new building at the corner of Fifth and Twelfth streets.

That building became home to the YMCA and held the place for decades, right up until a new structure was completed in 1968. Now, inside those walls, whether on Fifth and Twelfth or in the building that followed, the YMCA laid out something real for the young men of Corsicana: a swimming pool, a gymnasium, a jogging track, a large meeting room, and lodging. Body, spirit, community, under one roof.

Many of Corsicana's prominent citizens and businessmen counted themselves as members over the years. But here is a detail that makes you think. In 1934, women were first allowed to use the facilities, and when they were, it was for two days a week, from ten in the morning until nine at night.

Progress, measured and scheduled. The YMCA kept evolving, kept serving, and took particular pride in its concern for returning servicemen, a thread of purpose that ran through its history and gave the organization a special kind of weight in this community. Leadership, service, and a hand extended to those coming home.

That is the story of the YMCA of Corsicana, rooted in 1884, still standing, and still counting.

What the marker says

The Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) of Corsicana was organized in 1884 and was one of only two YMCAs in the state at that time. E. W. (Wiley) Johnson served as first president of the organization that met in a room over the First National Bank offices. Meetings later were held in the Dyers Dry Goods building at 107 South Main. In 1913, during the presidency of Frank Neal Drane, groundbreaking ceremonies were held for a building at the corner of Fifth and Twelfth streets, which was occupied by the YMCA until this structure was completed in 1968. Many of Corsicana's prominent citizens and businessmen have been members of this YMCA. In its objective to promote the physical and spiritual development of the young men of the town, the YMCA provided a swimming pool, gymnasium, jogging track, a large meeting room, and lodging. In 1934, women were first allowed to use these facilities for two days a week from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. Throughout its history, the YMCA has provided service and leadership to the city of Corsicana. Its particular concern for returning servicemen has been a source of pride for this significant organization. Texas Sesquicentennial 1836-1986