Russell YMCA

The Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad (C&O) Russell YMCA provided overnight lodging, baths, meeting space, and other accommodations for railroad workers in Russell, Kentucky.







History

Until the advent of the C&O, Russell was a small community along the Ohio River between Greenup and Ashland. At Russell, the C&O constructed the world’s largest railyard, which mostly handled coal that was mined from southeast Kentucky and southwest West Virginia. 6 The town flourished, with its population increasing from 175 in 1880 to 743 by 1900 and 1,758 by 1920

The C&O, like most other railroads, partnered with local YMCA’s to provide overnight lodging, baths, meeting space, and other accommodations for railroad workers. 6 The first YMCA, a simple two-story frame structure, 7 was finished in 1896. 6 By the early 1900s, the building was renovated and enlarged into a three-story Victorian. Another addition came in the 1920s.

There were 384 members at the Russell YMCA by 1906, and 440 railroad workers used the YMCA’s facilities on an average day. 8 The YMCA also offered general education and Bible instruction. By 1919, there were 557 members, making it the third largest railroad YMCA in the state, only behind The Louisville & Nashville Railroad’s (L&N) YMCA in Corbin and Louisville. 10

During the mid-1920s, the YMCA’s role expanded to not only include programs for the railroad workers but the local community. A playground on the Russell YMCA grounds was added by local YMCA Secretary Arch Morgan, which included a tennis court, croquet court, and swimming pool. A baseball field was graded. 13

By 1927, the YMCA had a membership of 2,025 railroad members, making it the largest railroad YMCA in the state. 14 It had become apparent that the three-story Victorian and annex was far too small. The Russell Times newspaper in 1942 clamored for a bigger, more modern YMCA. 15

New YMCA

In response to overcrowding conditions at the old YMCA, the C&O funded a new $1 million facility in 1948. It was the only one the C&O built after World War II. 5 16 The new complex included amenities such as a bowling alley, gymnasium, auditorium, barber shop, restaurant, meeting rooms, library, and sleeping rooms. For workers of the C&O, there were 142 beds and laundry.

The C&O began to switch to diesel engines for its locomotives instead of labor-intensive steam engines during the 1950s, which meant fewer stops for refueling and layovers by railroad workers, conductors, and engineers. A 1974 article in the Russell Times noted that the YMCA was in excellent condition and that the railyard was still the largest in the country that was operated by one railroad. 17 The yard handled the arrival and departure of 24 trains, four turns, and 1,000 car movements per day.

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

In the 2000s, the abandoned YMCA was acquired by Lucasville, Ohio resident Kay Renolds for $35,000 at auction. 2 3 The building was then purchased by Russell YMCA, LLC, a new entity primarily owned by Louisville resident George T. Breathitt, in December 2002. 2 4 Breathitt proposed to renovate the complex into a 47-unit independent living facility for the elderly at the cost of $4 million. 2 4 Breathitt sought state tax credits as part of the financing package. Work was scheduled to begin in 2003, but a lack of state tax credits led Breathitt to abandon the project. 3

The YMCA was sold for $16,000 to Assets Investment Company of San Jose, California in July 2018. 19



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Sources

  1. Fields, Ben. “Russell Y sold.” Daily Independent (Ashland) 6 Dec. 2002. 6 Dec. 2002.
  2. “Renovation of old Russell Railroad Y would benefit the entire community.” Daily Independent (Ashland) 18 Dec. 2002. 10 Dec. 2008.
  3. Fields, Ben. “Restoration of YMCA not dead, architect says.” Daily Independent (Ashland) 9 Feb. 2005. 10 Dec. 2008.
  4. Fields, Ben. “Renovations could begin in spring, new owner says.” Daily Independent (Ashland) 6 Dec. 2002. 10 Dec. 2008.
  5. Smith, Jesse J. “Russell’s “RU” cabin last of its kind.” Chesapeake and Ohio Historical Magazine. May 2001. 10 Dec. 2008.
  6. United States. Dept. of Interior. Russell Railroad Y.M.C.A. By Rachel Kennedy. Washington, 2000. National Park Service. Web. 26 Jan. 2012. Form.
  7. The Russell Times 15 Sept. 1974: B19. Print.
  8. The International Committee. Year Book of the Young Men’s Christian Associations of North America. May 1. 1906 to April 30. 1907. New York: Young Men’s Christian Association Press, 1907: 158. Print.
  9. The International Committee. Year Book of the Young Men’s Christian Associations of North America. May 1. 1906 to April 30. 1907. New York: Young Men’s Christian Association Press, 1907: 159. Print.
  10. The International Committee. Year Book of the Young Men’s Christian Associations of North America. May 1. 1906 to April 30. 1907. New York: Young Men’s Christian Association Press, 1907: 261. Print.
  11. Turner, Charles W. Chessie’s Road. Richmond: Garrett & Massie, 1956: 185. Print.
  12. The International Committee. Year Book of the Young Men’s Christian Associations of North America. May 1. 1906 to April 30. 1907. New York: Young Men’s Christian Association Press, 1907: 229. Print.
  13. The Russell Times 15 Sept. 1974: B19. Print.
  14. The Russell Times 15 Sept. 1974: B9. Print.
  15. The Sun 6 Oct. 00: n. pag. Print.
  16. The Russell Times 15 Sept. 1974: G14. Print.
  17. The Russell Times 15 Sept. 1974: B5. Print.
  18. The Sun 25 Aug. 00: n. pag. Print.
  19. Puit, Glenn. “Old Russell YMCA sold.” Daily Independent [Ashland], 1 Jul. 2018.

9 Comments

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I worked for a Railroad contracting company in the late 70’s and early 80;s and I stayed at the Russell Y when I was working there at the Yard. I have fond memories of the area and my escapades. I remember a lot of people from the area coming to eat at the Y, They always had a crowd on sunday’s.

My grandfather Charles H Early was a barber at the Russell Railroad YMCA about 1909-10. One day he was cutting a railroad brakeman’s hair. They got to talking about each others sister. To make a long story short they ended up marrying each others sister. So my grandfather originally from Logan County, WV married a red head from Willard, Carter County, KY. As a result my dad had double cousins.

My grandfather (Carl “Big Eye” Sinnott was retired from the C&O. I remember in the seventies eating there many many times. I wish it would be purchased and renovated as some apartment living for local residents.

I am Tony Miller. I worked there in 1974,1975 and 1976! I worked maintenance with Jim Ball and worked with Freddie. Wyatt! The cooks and staff were wonderful. I really loved it! I later got on the railroad as painter!

I stayed there for four yrs in the late 70’s when I was a brakeman for the Chessie System.

My dad Bob Perkins retired from the railroad. We grew up in Russell and played ball at the YMCA fields from the mid sixties to the mid seventies. I can still remember the smell of the railroad and the sounds of cars coupling.

My father Paul Zornes was the the janitor at russell for many years even after it became alberts and then shut down

Back in 1973 I used to ride up to the Russel YMCA with my best friend who used to deliver Lewis Pies for the restaurant there, all the way from Portsmouth, Ohio.

It was still a bustling place back then, but they didn't let anyone just wander in and look around, so I usually stayed in the van while he carried his pie cases in for delivery.

Over the years I STILL kick myself for not sticking my head in the door and looking anyway. 🙁

Regards! Mark

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