YWCA Building on Clinch & Walnut LR
July 7, 2020
This vintage postcard, shared by Cindy and Mark Proteau, shows the YWCA building on the corner of Clinch Avenue and Walnut Street. Completed in 1925, the new building replaced a former doctor’s house, which originally served as the organization’s headquarters. According to research by historian, Laura Still, a cornerstone was laid containing a history of the local YWCA, related newspaper articles, a pamphlet about the proposed Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a list of 300 building workers, and on the top, an open Bible. An inscription clearly visible on the building reads, “DEDICATED TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND THE SERVICE OF WOMANHOOD, 1925.” Its star turn came in 1999, when its lobby appeared in the major motion picture October Sky, starring a young Jake Gyllenhaal. It portrayed a hotel in Indianapolis.
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Comment
goodness – the memories!! I’m 63 and I came across this doing a late nite surf on the net. I was 20 when I hitchhiked to Knoxville from Wisconsin with my older brother to try to work at the World’s Fair.As is usually the case,things didn’t work out as we planned – I found restaurant work immediately but my brother was struggling. We had met some new friends who offered us a place to stay but when my brother couldn’t get a job right away they asked us to leave after 2 weeks.We found ourselves on the streets of downtown with nowhere to go. I was crying and scared and pretty much inconsolable when we found ourselves standing in front of the YWCA.My brother took me in and the next thing I knew I had a warm bed and for the first time in weeks I felt safe and secure. I can’t begin to tell you how that night impacted me. I had never been so in need and yet recieved so much support and assistance. I’m so HAPPY to hear they are still there for women who just need a little help!!!!!!