Russell Railyards YMCA

Russell Railyards YMCA interior.

The Russell Railroad Young Men’s Christian Association Building (Russell YMCA) was a three-story structure at 451 Vernon Street in Russell, Kentucky that served the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad (C&O). It closed in 1984 due to modernization of the railroading industry.

History

Russell, a small community located along the Ohio River between Greenup and Ashland, was more associated with the trades of the river until the C&O was completed westward to the city. It was during this time that the city boomed, with its population increasing from 175 in 1880 to 743 by 1900 and 1,758 by 1920.(6) The construction of the rail yards to the west, the largest in the world at the time of its completion, fueled an explosion of employment in the region.

The YMCA’s along the C&O were constructed by the railroad, and were described as being equipped with reading rooms with wholesome literature, with baths and restrooms.(6)

The first YMCA at Russell was constructed in 1896.(6) The two-story frame structure (7) was owned by the YMCA and administered by a local YMCA board. By the early 1900s, the building was renovated and enlarged into a three-story Victorian, and an addition was constructed by the 1920s.

Membership to the YMCA was at 384 in 1906, and 440 railroad workers used the YMCA’s facilities on average every day.(8) In addition, 4,854 workers attended Bible classes that year, and 25 were involved in regular training courses.(9) By 1919, there were 557 members, making it the third largest railroad YMCA in the state, behind Corbin and Louisville.(10) It was valued at $10,000.

The 1920s saw an increase in employment for Russell. A third main track was constructed between Ashland and Russell in 1925, and the yards saw the completion of a 100-foot turntable, a water softening plant, a conveyor for transferring coal from bad order cars, and an improved engine terminal.(11) An underpass for Terry Street was completed for $1.25 million.

By 1924, the YMCA had a membership of 966 and a constituency of 20,000 railroad workers, which made it the second largest railroad YMCA in the state.(12) At the time, the YMCA was valued at $320,000.

During the mid-1920s, the YMCA’s role expanded to not only include programs for the railroad workers, but for the local community. Community playgrounds were constructed by Secretary Arch Morgan, which included a tennis court, a croquet court, a swimming pool, and playground equipment. A baseball field was also graded.(13)

By 1927, the YMCA had a membership of 2,025 railroad members, making it the largest railroad YMCA in the state.(14) Three years later, Russell peaked in population at 2,084.

By the 1940s, it had become apparent that the three-story Victorian and annex were far too small to serve not only the needs of the railroad workers but the local community. The Russell Times in 1942 clamored for a bigger YMCA.(15)

In 1948, the C&O constructed a new YMCA behind the three-story Victorian.(5)(16) The new YMCA was constructed at a cost of $1 million, and included new amenities such s a bowling alley, a gymnasium and auditorium, a barber shop, a restaurant, meeting rooms, sleeping facilities and a library. For workers of the C&O, there were 142 sleeping rooms and a laundry.

Interestingly, the Russell YMCA was the only such facility constructed post-World War II. A 1974 article in the Russell Times noted that the YMCA was in good condition and strong, and that it served the “largest railroad yard in the country” that was operated by one railroad.(17) At this point, the C&O, then a part of the Chessie System, oversaw the arrival and departure of 24 trains per day from the yard and four turns that saw over 1,000 car movements per day.

By 1984, the C&O had merged with the L&N among other lines that eventually became part CSX Transportation (CSX). Soon after, CSX withdrew its financial support to the YMCA due to mechanization of labor which reduced the yard’s workforce.(18) In 1992, the YMCA closed.(2)

Redevelopment

In December 2002, the former Russell Railroad YMCA was purchased by Russell YMCA LLC, a new corporation primarily owned by Louisville resident George T. Breathitt.(2)(4) Breathitt, who also owned American Housing Incorporated, released plans to renovate the former YMCA into an independent living facility for the elderly at a cost of $4 million.(2)(4) Tax credits from the Kentucky Housing Corporation would finance much of the project.

The property was purchased from Lucasville, Ohio, resident Kay Reynolds for only $35,000.(2)(4) Reynolds had purchased the building at auction several years prior.(3)(4)

The renovation project entailed gutting the interior to the exterior walls and concrete floors, and constructing 47 housing units in its place.(2)(3) The units would be reserved for adults aged 55 and older. Work was scheduled to begin in 2003, although by 2005, no work had been completed.(3)

The lead architect for the project, Campbell & Associates of Versailles, Kentucky, stated that the project had not yet received funding from the Kentucky Housing Corporation.(3)

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