This article was written by Al Jones for the November 1992 issue of Historic Marion, the Marion County Historical Society Newsletter Vol. 30, No. 6. It is shared here for reference purposes.

The Centennial Celebration of the Salem YMCA calls attention to a great number of interesting historical events and at least four dozen different community services that began with this organization and were later adopted by the city or other volunteer organizations.

It all started when the Salem YMCA was incorporated on March 18, 1892, about the same time some Willamette University students took part in the first basketball game played in the Northwest.

Salem’s first YMCA board included four men who were area leaders: President Herman S. Gile, who headed the Willamette Valley Prune Assn., Pheasant Fruit Juice Co., Phez Loganberry Juice Co., and H.S. Gile & Co.; and board members Frank N. Gilbert, banker and father of A.C. Gilbert, inventor of the Erector set; Wylie A. Moores; and J.A. Van Eaton.

That first basketball game was held on the third floor of the State Insurance Building (the same building pictured above). It occurred soon after James Naismith invented the sport in Springfield, Massachusetts, at a national YMCA conference attended by two Willamette University students who returned with much enthusiasm.

In that first game in Salem was Frank E. Brown, a first-year student in the Academy of Willamette University, which was then a three-year preparatory course before the four-year liberal arts university course.

Brown was later a Salem physician who graduated from Willamette University College of Medicine in 1900. He was on the Salem YMCA board for 40 years and died at age 88 in 1958.

One time Brown described the primitive rules they had back in 1892 for the basketball games they played in that small gym in downtown Salem. He said a team could have up to 10 players and dribbling and running with the ball were prohibited. However, a player could catch his own pass.

The referee started the game with the centers lying on the floor — arms extended and hands on the ball; they scrambled for it at the whistle.

A foul counted one point without shooting a free throw; two fouls would disqualify a player.

Players took turns climbing a ladder to get balls out of the peach baskets. The YMCA nationally directed basketball from 1892 until 1897.

COMMUNITY SERVICES
The four dozen community services originally initiated by the Salem YMCA are:
1892 Both basketball and football introduced to Salem.
1907 Naturalization classes.
1910 Swimming pool built, teams formed.
1913 Relay race, Salem Y beats Portland Y, Salem to Portland.
1921 Employment bureau, helping 15,000 by 1933.
Leadership training course.
Learn-to-swim classes under lights.
Softball league organized, also baseball.
Sunday School Athletic League
Boys’ camp begun.
1922 Cherry-pickers’ and hop-pickers’ camps opened, offering childcare for migratory workers.
Public playgrounds, taken over by city in 1933.
Willson Park gospel meetings.
Oregon Historical Pageant staged.
Hiking club formed, later became the Chemeketans.
Vacation Bible Schools held.
Hobby and Pet shows.
1930-31 Sponsored Salem Symphony, Dr. Hans Seitz, director.
Biweekly art exhibits held.
Salem Gleemen Chorus formed.
1930s Volleyball league begins.
1937-48 Marble tournaments.
1940s Adult Bible course.
1941 Men’s Garden Club.
1942 Salem War Chest raises funds.
1942-1945 Military servicemen housed in YMCA, also WU Navy V-12 men.
1946 City Police baseball team.
1947 Alcoholics Anonymous groups formed.
Chess club formed.
1948 Youth Legislature begun, continues today.
1950s Father and son sex education.
1952 Fencing classes.
1953 Film forums.
1956 Camp Silver Creek pool opens.
1957 Salem Marriage clinic.
1960s Parent-Child counseling, also Investment class and kids’ Wrestling.
1960s Parents Without Partners groups.
1968 Little Brother program, also Yokefellows.
1970s Mini-bike program for junior high boys and girls.
1973 Men’s Health Club.
1974 Kindergarten opens.
BUILDINGS
The YMCA has occupied various locations over the years in the following buildings.
Patton Block A building behind Ladd & Bush Bank on the west side of the alley, on the second floor.
Gray Building The northwest corner of Liberty and State.
120 Commercial In 1897, over a hardware store on the east side.
Hughes Building In 1898, south side of State Street.
Commercial & Chemeketa In 1901, northwest corner.
685 Court Street Present location, dedicated in 1926, with the Youth Wing added in 1956.