Timeline: Celebrating 100 years of the North Canton YMCA

Kelsey Davis, The Repository
·3 min read
Signs adorn light posts outside the North Canton YMCA commemorating its 100th anniversary.
Signs adorn light posts outside the North Canton YMCA commemorating its 100th anniversary.

NORTH CANTON — The North Canton YMCA celebrated its 100th anniversary Saturday.

With speeches from YMCA Vice President of Operations Ben Wheeler; Larry Hoover, great grandson of H. William “Boss” Hoover; and North Canton Mayor Steven Wilder, it was clear that the North Canton YMCA is a community gathering place and has been for the last 100 years.

"It's a staple in this community," Wheeler said. Wilder echoed, “The Y is a safe place for all in our community to come and focus on their health, physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.”

A video recounting "Boss" Hoover’s original dedication speech said, “It will be the club for the town, open to the pleasure and benefit of the men, women and children of North Canton. Every want and desire of the community, along recreational, social, educational and physical training, will be cared for here.”

Newspaper clippings and photos of H. William "Boss" Hoover and Mary Hoover Price were on display at the YMCA's 100th anniversary event.
Newspaper clippings and photos of H. William "Boss" Hoover and Mary Hoover Price were on display at the YMCA's 100th anniversary event.

Throughout the years, the Y has grown and evolved with renovations, building additions and all kinds of programing for the young to the old.

Here is a history of the North Canton YMCA over the past 100 years.

1923:

The Community Building YMCA was dedicated to the North Canton community as a personal gift worth $250,000 from Hoover Co. founder H. William “Boss” Hoover. The YMCA, one of the first coed YMCAs in the nation, had 1,009 original members. Yearly memberships were $5 to $10 for men, $2 to $5 for boys and $2 for $4 for women and girls.

Paperwork from the early days of the North Canton YMCA, including a list of charter members, was on display at the anniversary event.
Paperwork from the early days of the North Canton YMCA, including a list of charter members, was on display at the anniversary event.

1928:

The Y designated one room as North Canton’s first free library, with a collection of 1,000 books. A total of 993 patrons visited in the first year.

A Hoover company water treatment pool was converted into the community’s first outdoor pool.

1940:

As the war raged in Europe, 84 children of British Hoover employees were brought to Stark County to escape the fighting. During their stay, the children enjoyed special activities provided by the YMCA.

Memorabilia from the past 100 years of the North Canton YMCA was displayed at the anniversary event.
Memorabilia from the past 100 years of the North Canton YMCA was displayed at the anniversary event.

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1950 and ’60s:

Youth programs, including field trips, overnight stays at the Y and parent-bonding experiences were popular. The YMCA hosted dances for teenagers. In 1958, the North Canton Senior Citizens coed group began meeting, with 125 members.

1968-1970:

By the end of 1958, membership was at 3,491 and outgrew the original building. In 1968, “Boss” Hoover’s daughter, Mary Hoover Price, and her husband, Harley Price, donated $1.68 million as a gift to build a new Community Building YMCA. The new building was dedicated on May 17, 1970. It offered an enlarged gymnasium and indoor swimming pool, which allowed Hoover High School to have a swim team.

1977:

The annual July 4th Race began with 42 registered racers. The race has grown to 3,000 racers.

A framed Repository article from 2007 commemorates 30 years of the July 4th Race.
A framed Repository article from 2007 commemorates 30 years of the July 4th Race.

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2000:

The Y’s gymnastics program, started in the 1950s, outgrew the YMCA, moving to an off-site facility in 1993. In 2000, the program moved again to its current 20,000-square-foot facility on Whipple Avenue NW in Jackson Township.

2002:

The 8,000-square-foot Family Wellness Center was added in May, adding the latest cardio and strength equipment plus space for eating, a youth lobby, child care services and the block room.

2013:

The Y bought the building at the corner of Main and Charlotte streets to house the North Canton Child Development Center, which serves more than 200 children each year.

To celebrate its 100th anniversary and honor its history, the North Canton YMCA created a timeline that will be displayed in the building.
To celebrate its 100th anniversary and honor its history, the North Canton YMCA created a timeline that will be displayed in the building.

2023:

The YMCA is celebrating is 100th anniversary with events throughout the year, including a gala on Sept. 16. After 100 years, membership is now at 11,700.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Timeline: Celebrating 100 years of the North Canton YMCA