Beaumont Y.M.C.A.
934 Calder St., Beaumont, TXBuilt during Beaumont's second boom period, the YMCA building represents a good example of the Spanish Colonial Revival style which dominated much of Beaumont's architecture during the late 1920's and early 1930's. The structure was built by one of the city's most prominent civic organizations, the YMCA, and has served as an important social center in Beaumont for over fifty years.
Since the early 1900s, the development of Beaumont in general and the YMCA in particular has depended almost exclusively on the drilling, refinement, and shipment of oil. With Spindletop's discovery in 1901, the small town of Beaumont suddenly mushroomed in population, and a great deal of vice and corruption followed this boom. Many of the town's leading citizens believed. the need existed for a stable social organization to help build "spirit, mind, and body," and, the Beaumont branch of the Young Men's Christian Association was formed in 1901. Donations from private citizens were solicited to erect a building for the organization, and by 1903, the first YMCA building was constructed.
The first twenty years of the YMCA proved very successful, and membership steadily increased. By the mid-1920s, Beaumont experienced a second oil boom. The old YMCA building proved too small for the increased demand, and soon efforts were begun to raise money for a new facility.
In 1928 the present YMCA building was constructed in a new subdivision about ten blocks west of the downtown commercial district. The four-story brick structure displayed a strong influence from Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, which had become a popular style in Beaumont at that time. The new facility housed a gymnasium, swimming pool, dormitory rooms, and numerous conference rooms. An additional wing was constructed in 1930 just west of the main building and was built from money donated by Dr. J. W. Garth. This section housed the Garth Friendship Club, which was founded by Dr. Garth as an "exclusive" club for newspaper boys and carriers. When this group disbanded in 1945, the wing was converted into an exercise room.
Since its completion, the YMCA building has housed one of the city's most dynamic and community-oriented institutions. Many of Beaumont's leading citizens have joined the association and participated in its wide range of programs. Numerous sub-branches have been established throughout the city, but the "Downtown Y" at 934 Calder continues to be an important social center in Beaumont.
Since the early 1900s, the development of Beaumont in general and the YMCA in particular has depended almost exclusively on the drilling, refinement, and shipment of oil. With Spindletop's discovery in 1901, the small town of Beaumont suddenly mushroomed in population, and a great deal of vice and corruption followed this boom. Many of the town's leading citizens believed. the need existed for a stable social organization to help build "spirit, mind, and body," and, the Beaumont branch of the Young Men's Christian Association was formed in 1901. Donations from private citizens were solicited to erect a building for the organization, and by 1903, the first YMCA building was constructed.
The first twenty years of the YMCA proved very successful, and membership steadily increased. By the mid-1920s, Beaumont experienced a second oil boom. The old YMCA building proved too small for the increased demand, and soon efforts were begun to raise money for a new facility.
In 1928 the present YMCA building was constructed in a new subdivision about ten blocks west of the downtown commercial district. The four-story brick structure displayed a strong influence from Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, which had become a popular style in Beaumont at that time. The new facility housed a gymnasium, swimming pool, dormitory rooms, and numerous conference rooms. An additional wing was constructed in 1930 just west of the main building and was built from money donated by Dr. J. W. Garth. This section housed the Garth Friendship Club, which was founded by Dr. Garth as an "exclusive" club for newspaper boys and carriers. When this group disbanded in 1945, the wing was converted into an exercise room.
Since its completion, the YMCA building has housed one of the city's most dynamic and community-oriented institutions. Many of Beaumont's leading citizens have joined the association and participated in its wide range of programs. Numerous sub-branches have been established throughout the city, but the "Downtown Y" at 934 Calder continues to be an important social center in Beaumont.
Bibliography
Hall, John, unpublished monograph, 1978, filed at Texas Historical Commission.
S.P.A.R.E. Beaumont, Vol. I. Bell, Klein, and Hofmann, January 1977.
Filed at Texas Historical Commission
Whiffen, Marcus. American Architecture Since 1780. Cambridge, Massachusetts: M. I. T. Press, 1969.
S.P.A.R.E. Beaumont, Vol. I. Bell, Klein, and Hofmann, January 1977.
Filed at Texas Historical Commission
Whiffen, Marcus. American Architecture Since 1780. Cambridge, Massachusetts: M. I. T. Press, 1969.
Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
Loading...
In the late 19th century, Texas became known for its cattle drives, in which cowboys would move herds of cattle from Texas to railheads in Kansas and other northern states. The cattle drives were dangerous and difficult work, but they played a key role in the development of the American cattle industry.
About Jefferson County
Jefferson County Timeline
Jefferson County, Texas, has a rich history that spans back several centuries. It is home to the indigenous tribes who had lived in the area for thousands of years before the arrival of European settlers. In the early 16th century, Spanish explorers reached the area and claimed it as part of New Spain. However, it was not until the early 19th century that the region began to see significant settlement.
In the early 1820s, Empresario Joseph Vehlein obtained a contract to settle 300 families in the region. The land, once inhabited by the Atakapa people, soon attracted settlers of various origins, including Americans, Europeans, and enslaved Africans. The area became known for its fertile soil, offering ideal conditions for agriculture and ranching.
The city of Beaumont was established in the mid-19th century and quickly developed into a major trading and shipping center due to its access to the Neches River and the Gulf of Mexico. The discovery of oil at Spindletop in 1901 marked a turning point in the county's history, as the region experienced a significant oil boom. This brought great prosperity and transformed the area's economy, leading to the development of the petrochemical industry in the following decades.
Throughout the 20th century, Jefferson County witnessed various social and economic changes. It played a key role in World War II, serving as the location for significant military activity, including the establishment of one of the largest military shipbuilding centers in the country. The county also experienced desegregation struggles during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 1960s, which eventually led to greater equality.
Today, Jefferson County continues to be an important industrial center for petrochemicals and petroleum-related industries. It is also home to a diverse population and offers a mix of urban and rural landscapes, with a variety of cultural and recreational opportunities for residents and visitors.
In the early 1820s, Empresario Joseph Vehlein obtained a contract to settle 300 families in the region. The land, once inhabited by the Atakapa people, soon attracted settlers of various origins, including Americans, Europeans, and enslaved Africans. The area became known for its fertile soil, offering ideal conditions for agriculture and ranching.
The city of Beaumont was established in the mid-19th century and quickly developed into a major trading and shipping center due to its access to the Neches River and the Gulf of Mexico. The discovery of oil at Spindletop in 1901 marked a turning point in the county's history, as the region experienced a significant oil boom. This brought great prosperity and transformed the area's economy, leading to the development of the petrochemical industry in the following decades.
Throughout the 20th century, Jefferson County witnessed various social and economic changes. It played a key role in World War II, serving as the location for significant military activity, including the establishment of one of the largest military shipbuilding centers in the country. The county also experienced desegregation struggles during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 1960s, which eventually led to greater equality.
Today, Jefferson County continues to be an important industrial center for petrochemicals and petroleum-related industries. It is also home to a diverse population and offers a mix of urban and rural landscapes, with a variety of cultural and recreational opportunities for residents and visitors.
Jefferson County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Jefferson County, Texas.
- 1836: Jefferson County is established as a municipality of the Republic of Texas.
- 1838: The town of Beaumont is founded.
- 1840: Jefferson County becomes part of the newly-formed State of Texas.
- 1845: Texas is admitted to the United States, and Jefferson County becomes a county within the state.
- 1858: A railroad is completed, connecting Beaumont to surrounding areas.
- 1865: The Civil War ends, and Jefferson County begins to recover from the war's impact.
- 1881: The Spindletop oil field, the first major oil discovery in Texas, is found in Jefferson County.
- 1901: The Lucas Gusher at Spindletop oil field erupts, launching the Texas oil boom.
- 1925: The Neches River is first navigable by deep-draft vessels, boosting the county's shipping industry.
- 1943: The Port of Beaumont is established as a major center for the shipping and petrochemical industries.
- 1989: Hurricane Gilbert strikes Jefferson County, causing significant damage to the area.
- 2005: Hurricane Rita makes landfall in Jefferson County, leading to widespread devastation.
- 2017: Hurricane Harvey causes widespread flooding in Jefferson County.