Founded in 1914, the Emerson Street Branch YMCA served as a beloved hub for social and civic life for Black Evanstonians for 60 years.
The Evanston YMCA, known today as McGaw YMCA, was founded in 1885 and open to young white men with a mission to “promote mental, moral, physical and social welfare.” In 1898, the Evanston YMCA moved to a site at 1611 Orrington Avenue that had a pool, gymnasium, classrooms, and space for vocational training programs as well as rooms that provided short-term housing options for white men. Y members were offered classes in electricity, photography, shorthand, manual training, and commercial law.
In 1908, Rev. James Rayford Talley requested that Black youth be allowed to participate in the programs and services at the Evanston YMCA. After the request was denied by the Evanston Y’s white leadership, Talley convened a small group of community leaders and volunteers to organize activities for young Black men in Evanston. The group held these activities behind Tim Harland’s blacksmith shop off West Railroad (now Green Bay Road) and Foster Street.
In 1909, plans were underway to establish the Emerson Street Branch YMCA in Evanston’s 5th Ward. Evanston philanthropist Dr. Dwight J. Harris supported Talley's vision of creating a place of belonging for Black youth and insisted that the city needed a separate branch of the YMCA to serve Black Evanstonians. Harris and W. A. Hunton, International Secretary of Colored YMCA Work, addressed 70 young African American men, announcing plans to found what became the Emerson Street Branch YMCA. A development committee began to raise funds for this branch. In 1911, a lot of land was purchased on 1014-1016 Emerson Street between Maple and East Railroad. James Talley helped lay the Emerson Street YMCA cornerstone in February 1914 and by July, the completed building was dedicated in front of an audience of 450. Hundreds more waited outside to enter after the formal ceremony.
The Emerson Street YMCA opened its doors on July 5, 1914, and would serve as a beloved hub for social and civic life for Black Evanstonians for 60 years. Over the years, the Emerson Street Y programs would include something for everyone, from afterschool and summer programs to family events, chess matches, dances, musical concerts, team sports, clubs, and swim lessons. In 1926, the Emerson Street YMCA held its first annual YMCA Circus, and a year later, held its first annual banquet, which continued to be a popular event into the 1950s.
In 1929, the Emerson Street Branch YMCA was expanded, doubling the size of the original building and adding a new swimming pool that was dedicated to the memory of Dr. Dwight Harris, a longtime benefactor of the Emerson Street Y. The Emerson Street Y was the only location for short-term stays for Black men visiting in Evanston. Noted guests included Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. By 1929, the Emerson Y expanded its housing program to include 19 dorm rooms with a total of 22 beds for Black men who were students at Northwestern University. Many Black male students lived in these rooms over the next several decades, until Northwestern desegregated its dormitories in the 1960s.
In 1930, Emerson Street Y held its first ETHS Prom for African American students who were not permitted to attend the segregated prom sponsored by Evanston Township High School (ETHS). Seventeen-year-old Nat Cole (who had not yet received the nickname “King”) and his orchestra performed at the Emerson Street Y ETHS Prom in June 1935.
As the country entered a deep economic depression in the 1930s, the Emerson Street Y provided free memberships to men who were suddenly unemployed, gave free lodgings to 650 men, and, along with the Grove Street Branch, provided counseling sessions for boys, men, and families. In 1942, the Grove Street and Emerson Street YMCAs served the armed forces as USO Centers, offering free Y memberships for discharged service men and women. In 1951, the Mary E. Johnson Day Nursery, a child care center for children of working parents, moved from its former location at a local church to the Emerson Street YMCA.
In 1956, Evanston YMCA established an interracial committee to discuss plans for desegregation of the Y’s facilities. In 1963, the Grove Street Branch YMCA integrated its facilities following the Y-USA’s desegregation efforts across the country. The merge symbolized an end to segregation within the Y facilities, but also led to the eventual closing of the Emerson Street Branch Y in 1969, which left a sense of profound loss for Black people in Evanston who built a deep sense of community at the Emerson Street YMCA. The beloved building was eventually sold and then demolished in 1980.
An Unforgettable Legacy
Many Black Evanstonians grew up at the Emerson Street Y, noting that it was a beloved anchor for the social and civic life of Evanston’s Black community. Shorefront Archives released a special publication entitled, "Gatherings: The History and Activities of the Emerson Street Branch YMCA". This publication provides a detailed history of the activities and gatherings of the Emerson Street Y.
Images in this photo gallery were in a special publication entitled, "Gatherings: The History and Activities of the Emerson Street Branch YMCA". From the Shorefront Archives. All rights reserved. For more information about each image, please contact Shorefront or visit www.shorefrontlegacy.org.
Unforgettable: Memories of the Emerson Street Branch YMCA
Timeline of the Emerson Street Branch YMCA
YMCA Founded in London
The YMCA was founded in London, England, in 1844 as the Young Men’s Christian Association to help young men develop character and avoid the unhealthy social conditions of the times. The YMCA Movement reached the United States in 1851 during an era of legalized segregation and was open to young white men.
Evanston YMCA Founded
The Evanston YMCA, known today as McGaw YMCA, was founded in 1885 and open to young white men with a mission to “promote mental, moral, physical and social welfare.” The original building was located at the corner of Davis Street and Chicago Avenue.
Evanston YMCA Moves to Orrington Ave.
In 1898, the Evanston YMCA moved to a site at 1611 Orrington Avenue that had a pool, gymnasium, classrooms, and space for vocational training programs as well as rooms that provided short-term housing options for white men.
Rev. James Rayford Talley Asks Evanston Y to include Black Youth
In 1908, Rev. James R. Talley asked that Black youth be allowed to participate in the programs and services at the Evanston YMCA. After the request was denied by the Evanston Y’s white leadership, Talley convened a small group of community leaders and volunteers to organize activities for young Black men in Evanston. The group held these activities behind Tim Harland’s blacksmith shop off West Railroad (now Green Bay Road) and Foster Street.
Plans Underway to Establish the Emerson Street Branch Y
In 1909, plans were underway to establish the Emerson Street Branch YMCA in Evanston’s 5th Ward. Evanston philanthropist Dr. Dwight J. Harris supported Talley's vision of creating a place of belonging for Black youth and insisted that the city needed a separate branch of the YMCA to serve Black Evanstonians. Harris and W. A. Hunton, International Secretary of Colored YMCA Work, addressed 70 young African American men, announcing plans to found what became the Emerson Street Branch YMCA. A development committee began to raise funds for this branch.
Land Purchased; Building Constructed
In 1911, a lot of land was purchased on 1014-1016 Emerson Street between Maple and East Railroad (now Green Bay Road). James Talley helped lay the Emerson Street YMCA cornerstone in February 1914 and by July, the completed building was dedicated in front of an audience of 450. Hundreds more waited outside to enter after the formal ceremony.
Emerson Street Branch YMCA Opens
The Emerson Street YMCA opened its doors on July 5, 1914, and would serve as a beloved hub for social and civic life for Black Evanstonians for 60 years. Over the years, the Emerson Street Y programs would include something for everyone, from family events to chess matches to dances, musical concerts, team sports, clubs, and swim lessons. In 1926, the Emerson Street YMCA held its first annual YMCA Circus, and a year later, held its first annual banquet, which continued to be a popular event into the 1950s.
Emerson Street Y Doubles Size of Building
In 1929, the Emerson Street Branch YMCA was expanded, doubling the size of the original building and adding a new swimming pool that was dedicated to the memory of Dr. Dwight Harris, a longtime benefactor of the Emerson Street Y.
Emerson Street Y Expands Housing Program
The Emerson Street Y was the only location for short-term stays for Black men visiting in Evanston. Noted guests included Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. By 1929, the Emerson Y expanded its housing program to include 19 dorm rooms with a total of 22 beds for Black men who were students at Northwestern University. Many Black male students lived in these rooms over the next several decades, until Northwestern desegregated its dormitories in the 1960s.
Evanston YMCA Moves to 1000 Grove St.; Becomes Grove St. Branch
In 1930, the Evanston YMCA moved to its current location at 1000 Grove Street, where it became known as the Grove Street Branch YMCA. At the Grove Street Y building, the Men’s Residence program grew to include more rooms and long-term stay options, and eventually, case management and supportive services.
Emerson Street Y Hosts First ETHS Prom for Black Students
In 1930, Emerson Street Y held its first ETHS Prom for African American students who were not permitted to attend the segregated prom sponsored by Evanston Township High School (ETHS). Seventeen-year-old Nat Cole (who had not yet received the nickname “King”) and his orchestra performed at the Emerson Street Y ETHS Prom in June 1935.
Emerson Street Y Supports Community Through Great Depression
As the country entered a deep economic depression in the 1930s, the Emerson Street Y provided free memberships to men who were suddenly unemployed, gave free lodgings to 650 men, and, along with the Grove Street Branch, provided counseling sessions for boys, men, and families. In 1942, the Grove Street and Emerson Street YMCAs served the armed forces as USO Centers, offering free Y memberships for discharged service men and women.
Child Care Center Opens as Emerson Street Y
In 1951, the Mary E. Johnson Day Nursery, a child care center for children of working parents, moved from its former location at a local church to the Emerson Street YMCA. It was open weekdays from 7:00 AM to 6:30 PM with a staff of six.
Grove Street Branch Integrates Facilities
In 1956, Evanston YMCA established an interracial committee to discuss plans for desegregation of the Y’s facilities. In 1963, the Grove Street Branch YMCA integrated its facilities following the Y-USA’s desegregation efforts across the country.
Emerson Street Branch Closed
The desegregation of the Grove Street Branch YMCA symbolized an end to segregation within the Y facilities, but also led to the eventual closing of the Emerson Street Branch Y in 1969, which left a sense of profound loss for Black people in Evanston who built a deep sense of community at the Emerson Street YMCA. While Evanston is a racially and ethnically diverse city overall, this diversity is not evenly spread across the community, reflecting how the history of Evanston’s racial segregation persists today. The beloved building was eventually sold and then demolished in 1980.
Legacy of Emerson Street Y Honored
In 2010, the McGaw YMCA celebrated its 125th anniversary by honoring the legacy of the Emerson Street Y. In 2011, community and civic leaders turned out for a dedication of an honorary street sign for the segment of Emerson Street where the beloved branch once stood.
That same year, the McGaw YMCA and filmmaker Susan Hope Engel released the film, Unforgettable: Memories of the Emerson Street Branch YMCA, to honor the unforgettable legacy of the Emerson Street Branch YMCA. Through photos and oral histories, the film chronicles Emerson’s 60-year influence still resonating in the lives and hearts of those who lived it, and for those who benefit from the life lessons passed on today.
The Legacy Continues
The Emerson Y still resonates in the hearts of those who lived it, and for those who benefit from the life lessons passed on today.
Acknowledging Past Harm
In the 1940s, the YMCA of the USA sought to desegregate its facilities across the country which led to the eventual closing of the Emerson Street Y Branch in 1969. A history of the segregation in Evanston and the Emerson Street Branch YMCA was written by Dino Robinson for the Shorefront Journal.
In 1963, the Grove Street Branch YMCA integrated its facilities. It closed the Emerson Street Branch Y in 1969, but failed to publicly recognize the significant impact the Emerson Y had made on six decades of Black people in Evanston and subsequently failed to acknowledge the related harm that was caused by the closing of the branch. While we—the McGaw YMCA—can’t erase the harms of this integration or the decades of degradation and dehumanization of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color throughout the history of the YMCA in Evanston, we can acknowledge our mistakes and our role in upholding white supremacist culture and help envision a path to ensure that McGaw YMCA is an anti-racist, multicultural space where everyone can thrive.
In 2010, the McGaw YMCA celebrated its 125th anniversary by honoring the legacy of the Emerson Street Y. In 2011, community and civic leaders turned out for a dedication of an honorary street sign for the segment of Emerson Street where the beloved branch once stood. That same year, McGaw YMCA and Filmmaker Susan Hope Engel released the film, Unforgettable: Memories of the Emerson Street Branch YMCA, to honor the unforgettable legacy of the Emerson Street Branch YMCA. Through photos and oral histories, the film chronicles Emerson’s 60-year influence still resonating in the lives and hearts of those who lived it, and for those who benefit from the life lessons passed on today.
Becoming an Anti-Racist, Multicultural YMCA
Building upon the learnings from our past, the McGaw YMCA will continue to make strides every day as we work to be a place of belonging for all people at every stage of life. We do this by acknowledging past harms and by creating equitable and inclusive programs and services that support our commitment to our mission while honoring both histories of the YMCAs in Evanston. We do this by removing barriers and working to eliminate systemic racism and oppression in all that we do.
The McGaw YMCA is committed to becoming an anti-racist, multicultural organization that intentionally leads and boldly models diverse and inclusive cultures that impact and strengthen the foundations of our community. While Evanston is a racially and ethnically diverse city overall, our community is still deeply segregated. We must actively work to address root causes of community trauma, including racism, housing and food insecurity, health inequities, and exposure to violence, among others. We will work each day to build an Evanston where all people, especially the young, will have the opportunity to thrive.