YWCA Building Complex (Athens, Georgia)
The YWCA Building Complex is a set of three historic Young Women's Christian Association buildings in Athens, Georgia. They were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987 as a single listing, not a historic district.[2]
Young Women's Christian Association Complex | |
 The 1913 Athletic Building | |
  | |
| Location | 345 & 347 West Hancock Avenue, Athens, Georgia 30601 |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 33°57′31″N 83°22′51″W / 33.95861°N 83.38083°W |
| Built | 1850, 1913, c. 1930 |
| Architect | Fred J. Orr |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Eclectic |
| NRHP reference No. | 87000696[1] |
| Added to NRHP | May 12, 1987 |
History
editThe Athens YWCA was founded in 1906 to provide housing for young women, offer vocational classes, and advocate for their welfare. They purchased the Stephens Thomas House in 1906 and the other two buildings were purpose-built for their needs. The local group disaffiliated from the YWCA USA in 1968 over desegregation and was renamed at that time to the "Young Women's Christian Organization". The YWCO quit using the site in 1980 but continues to offer family gym and pool memberships at their new location.[2]
Architecture
edit
Stevens Thomas House
editBuilt in 1850, the Greek Revival house has a monumental front portico. It was purchased in 1906 and listed in the 1936 Historic American Buildings Survey.[2]
Athletic Building
editPurpose built as a gymnasium, the two-story brick building containing a pool and used for events. It has an eclectic architectural style designed by prominent Athens architect Fred J. Orr (1874–1935).[2]
Servant's House
editThe wood-frame building was built circa 1930 but is no longer in the location.[2]
See also
edit- Ross Crane House: separately NRHP-listed on the same block
- List of YWCA buildings
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Clarke County, Georgia
References
edit- ^ "National Register Information System – Young Women's Christian Association Complex (#87000696)". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. November 2, 2013. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Thomas, Kenneth H. Jr. (March 30, 1987). "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Young Women's Christian Association Complex". National Archives. Retrieved February 29, 2024.