The Ottumwa YMCA is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. Guided by our core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility, the Y is dedicated to giving people of all ages, backgrounds and walks of life the opportunity to reach their full potential with dignity.
Our story begins on July 18th, 1887, inside the home of T.D. Foster. That day, a group of men gathered with a vision: to establish the Ottumwa YMCA. Just over a month later, on August 26th, 1887, the Ottumwa YMCA was officially chartered with 14 founding members, and the organization began fundraising for its first building.
On July 15th, 1891*, the cornerstone of the building was laid, marking the official start of construction. The design paid homage to the Milwaukee YMCA, which served as inspiration, and the estimated cost of the building and its lot came to $45,000 (approximately $1.6 million in today's dollars), not including furnishings.
The building was likely completed in mid to late 1892 and stood as one of the first Railroad YMCAs west of the Mississippi River. At the time, it was common for the YMCA to partner with railroad companies, offering rail workers an affordable and safe place to stay during their travels. To meet growing demand, the Ottumwa YMCA expanded its facilities in 1902, adding a gymnasium, swimming pool, and dormitories.
However, tragedy struck in the mid to late 1920s when a fire ravaged the building, destroying much of its interior. Faced with the significant damage, the YMCA made the difficult decision to sell the property and start anew.
The building was soon purchased by the YWCA, who opted to demolish the structure down to its foundation and construct a new building on the site in 1925. This new building still stands today. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005 and now houses The Hub Coffee Shop, a non-profit establishment operated by Bridge Church.
*The Ottumwa Daily Democrat, Pg 7, July 15th, 1891.
Our second YMCA building was completed in March 1921 and stood prominently at the corner of East Second and Green Streets. As the organization continued to grow, we expanded our reach by opening our first summer camp, Camp Harper Brown, in 1922.* Located in Alberts' Grove along the Des Moines River near Eldon, this scenic site would later gain fame as the home of the American Gothic House in 1930. The camp operated in this picturesque location until 1935.
On September 27th, 1931**, we dedicated Camp Arrowhead, a sprawling 110-acre property loaned to us by its two owners specifically for the creation of a YMCA camp. Construction began in April of that year, with the most notable development being the creation of a lake. This was achieved by building a dam across a large ravine, transforming the land into an ideal camp setting. Camp Arrowhead hosted its first YMCA summer camp in 1932 and served the community faithfully until it was sold to the Iowa Conservation Commission in July 1983.
A significant milestone in our history came in January 1963***, when the Ottumwa YMCA began accepting female members for the first time, marking an important step toward inclusivity.
*The Ottumwa Daily Courier, Pg 5, July 24th, 1922.In 1970, we relocated to our current home at 611 N Hancock St., a move that marked an exciting step forward for our growing community. From the humble beginnings of just 14 members, our membership has grown exponentially, and we are now proud to serve over 5,000 individuals. Looking ahead, we are excited to continue this legacy of growth, as plans to remodel and enhance our current facility are already in motion, ensuring we can better meet the needs of our members for years to come
