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The Junius Ward Johnson YMCA on Clay Street today: a photo tour
In the early 1920s, Mrs. Fannie Vick Willis Johnson donated funds to the Young Men’s Christian Association to build a new YMCA facility in Vicksburg to be called the Junius Ward Johnson YMCA in honor of her recently deceased husband.
The building, located at 821 Clay St., was originally dedicated in 1923. The then-new brick structure featured a red clay roof in a central location in the bustling river town. The original building was constructed with three floors but early on, in 1925, another floor was added with 33 more residence rooms.
The building had bathrooms on each of the residence floors, a gymnasium with a stage and a swimming pool. Later, a racquetball court was added.
The entrance to the Racquetball Court, which was added many years after the original construction in 1923.
Since about 2006 the building has been empty. Several investors have looked at the facility with a dream to restore it. One such investor gave the Vicksburg Daily News a tour of the challenge before them.
We hope you’ll have pleasant memories revived from this pictorial journey through this 96-year-old local bit of urban history and decay.
The Main Floor
The view as you enter the building from Clay Street.
These slotted mail boxes were kept full back in the times everyone wrote letters and sent postcards. A long distance phone call was expensive and only used in the most extreme of circumstances by most people.
The beautiful old fireplace on the main floor says, written in stone “Go put your deed into your creed nor speak with double tongue” – Emerson
This archaic electrical panel is worthy of being placed into a museum for it’s functional beauty.
The lights for the common areas throughout the building could be controlled from a central location. This was high tech at the time.
The Swimming Pool
The pool tile remains in incredibly good condition considering its age and wear. This pool was heated and considered therapeutic in its time.
The tiled steps into the shallow end of the pool.
A sign cautioning swimmers to not swim alone.
The deep end of the pool.
This balcony overlooking the pool. One can only guess at the number of people who were reprimanded for jumping from the balcony to the pool.
The Sauna Room
The Sauna Room.
The Basketball Court and Stage
The basketball Court and Stage need just a little work before the game can begin.
The detail of the decorative plaster trim surrounding the stage.
An alcove in the wall with water supplied.
The architectural details of a simple exit from the basketball court from 1923.
The Rest of the Building
Sliding wooden doors in this room created different areas for activities.
This area under that staircase looks oddly familiar.
A child’s artwork is still attached to a mirror in the basement.
The view from a room with a balcony. These rooms went for $30 a month in 1968.
The Playground
This view of the Old Courthouse from the south part of the playground.
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