T&P Railroad Y.M.C.A
Heritage Museum of Big Spring
The T&P Railroad Y.M.C.A was an impressive two-story brick building that was constructed in 1902 and quickly became the center of community activity. It was located just west of the T&P
Birdwell Hotel and faced the railroad tracks with the back of the building being opened to First Street similar to the Birdwell Hotel. The west side of
the building was located at the end of south Main. It was initially established as a cultural and educational movement to benefit the railroad men. However, it was an establishment that focused on young men in the community as well.
Game rooms were located downstairs, together with offices, the library, lobby, tiled bathrooms with showers and hot running water. Upstairs were meeting rooms and a large room for programs and banquets. There was a small gymnasium with a few pieces of equipment. Dedication of the building was set for July 26, 1902, just as the historic flood had peaked in downtown Big Spring.
Ms. Helen Gould, oldest daughter of railroad tycoon Jay Gould had arrived in Big Spring for the opening and dedication. Ms. Gould and her companions were traveling in a luxurious private train car. Jay Gould had died in 1892, leaving his daughter with a multimillion-dollar estate. She continued with her work as a philanthropist and championed the idea of libraries in the Y.M.C.A.S. (Young Men's Christian Association)
Upon arrival in Big Spring, Ms. Gould had to be brought from the train and carried to the Y in an express loading cart. Big Spring's local ladies had managed to prepare for Ms. Gould's arrival despite the mud and water.
Gertrude Mcintyre remembered: “The upstairs reception room was decorated by the local ladies. During those days, the ladies would take things from their own homes to use as decorations.”
Silver tea sets, candelabras, silverware, and china, and painted lamps were a few of those items used. “It was a large task for the ladies to perform but they were able to present a lovely reception area for Ms. Gould,” Mcintyre said. “Once the reception area was completed, the ladies set about bringing in their best meals. The ladies had worked well into the wee hours of the morning preparing for Ms. Gould's arrival, but they managed to make it back to their homes to dress for the formal occasion.
A lovely luncheon buffet was served using the local ladies' favorite recipes. The ladies presented Ms. Gould with a bouquet of roses and a single rose was placed at each place setting.”
Once the day was over, the ladies were exhausted, and the men cleaned and dismantled the reception hall area. The ladies were aghast when they heard how careless the men were. They broke some of their special things that they had brought to decorate with. Young bride Della Agnall was brokenhearted when she discovered a cup from her chocolate set was broken. The chocolate set had been a wedding gift that she had never used before. It would be fair to assume that those men were in trouble for quite some time.
The Y.M.C.A. was a popular location for lectures, spiritual and revival meetings, and the Boy Scouts. One of the most popular features were the showers, in a time when very few Big Spring residents had the privilege of indoor plumbing.
During the oil boom of the 1920s, office space was in demand. The T&P phased out the Y's work and the building was razed...a building that was only 24 years old.
In 1928, a freight terminal and offices were added, replacing the Y.M.C.A. A new modern organization was formed in 1946, as an alternative to a youth center, and operated on the top floor of 214 Main.
Today, the Big Spring Y.M.C.A. is located at 801 Owens. The organization continues to share values that assemble in the common vision that we are part of a worldwide fellowship working together to develop the mind, strengthen the body, and encourage the spirit in order to better the human condition. The four values are respect, responsibility, honesty and caring, values that would impress those pioneers who worked so hard to establish.