Y.M.C.A Tower
El Paso, Texas

Description: Y. M. C. A. (tower)
Other Names: none
Address: 500 block of North Oregon, El Paso, El Paso County, Texas
Type: fraternal; dormitory (?)
Original Client: Board of Directors, Young Men’s Christian Association, El Paso
Date: 1916
Condition: not built

Architect or Firm: Henry C. Trost
Associated Architect or Firm: Trost & Trost
Contractors:
Dimensions and Orientation: a ten story shaft facing west
Budget/Cost: about $100,000

Foundation: unknown
Wall Materials: probably red brick
Roofing Materials: flat
Other Materials Used: trim of contrasting color and material

Location of Drawings: El Paso Public Library: Ponsford 308, photograph of rendering of facade signed Trost & Trost Architects

Bibliography: El Paso Herald, August 26, 1916, Home Beautiful Section, page 8 (report on plans for a ten story addition to the Y. M. C. A., with details of site and budget; report that ground has not been broken, but will be soon, and that the addition is needed to care for the thousands of soldier members of the institution.)

Remarks: The building was apparently intended as a dormitory, and possibly also dining space since the latter was not including in the then existing Y. M. C. A. This project is catalogued as a separate building, rather than addition to the Y.M.C.A., because there is no bridge or other connecting device visible in the drawing. Also, the tower is designed to harmonize with the Linden Hotel, which it abuts, rather than the Y.M.C.A. building.

Prepared for the El Paso Public Library by Lloyd C. and June F. Engelbrecht under a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, 1990