
The newly installed YMCA sign
Photo by Carrie Kulinski
A Closer Look
YMCA
(Young Men's Christian Association)
of Northern Rock County
Story by Teresa Nguyen
June, 2021
It takes many caring people to make all the great things happen at our Y. Each of our volunteer board members shares their time, energy, and focus on strengthening our communities through helping kids reach their potential, encouraging healthy living for all ages, and giving back to our neighbors. ~ YMCA of Northern Rock County Board
The YMCA (Young Men's Christian Association) was the most important organization of young, Christian men during the late 1800s. The organization arrived from England to the shores of New England even before the Civil War.
The group was formed to bring social services to young men flocking to urban areas for work. It served as an important social welfare organization in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
1870 - The YMCA movement reached Wisconsin. Urban-area YMCA's were non-denominational organizations trying to meet the needs of youth through social action.
1892 - Several prominent businessmen in Janesville established the city's formal YMCA organization in the city. Its first activity was fundraising for a YMCA building.
1893 - Building began for the YMCA at 402 West Milwaukee Street.
1895 – The stately building was finally completed! This new YMCA building was three stories tall, constructed of red brick with a limestone foundation and limestone accents. The interior featured a large lobby and reading room, a large gymnasium, a swimming pool, 40 dormitory rooms, and a three-lane bowling alley! The building attracted new members to the YMCA.
1899 - The Gideon Bible organization was founded at the Janesville YMCA by Janesville resident, John H. Nicholson, and a Beloit man. This group has been distributing Bibles to hotel rooms around the world, and it continues to distribute them to this day.
1912 - The Janesville YMCA began a campaign to raise $15,000 to remodel their building on West Milwaukee Street.

The original YMCA building in Janesville built in 1895
It is located at 402 West Milwaukee Street

1914 - The YMCA remodeling was completed.
1924 - The organization had grown over the decades and it began fundraising for a new building to accommodate a growing Janesville population approaching 19,000.
1925 - Work on the new building at 54 S. Franklin Street began. The YMCA put its old building up for sale.
1926 - The building at 54 S. Franklin St. was completed. The four-story building was constructed with Mediterranean Revival details and a large, spacious interior.
The YMCA at 54 S. Franklin St. in Janesville, WI
1928 - The original YMCA building was used by the Elks Club and later used by others. Decades later it became the Hammond Organ Studios, where people could take organ lessons.
This first YMCA building at 402 W. Milwaukee St. has been remodeled, but much of the building's historic appearance still exists today.
1930s - The new YMCA struggled under its building debt during the Depression.
1942 - The YMCA Celebrated its Golden Anniversary.
Post WWII - The YMCA bounced back with much activity by social and political organizations.
