YMCA Sign

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Coordinates: 46°52′23″N 96°47′11″W / 46.87306°N 96.78639°W / 46.87306; -96.78639
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Fargo-Moorhead YMCA Sign
A large lit red "Y" on a snowy night
The neon sign at night
Located in far eastern North Dakota near the Red River of the North
Located in far eastern North Dakota near the Red River of the North
Located in far eastern North Dakota near the Red River of the North
Located in far eastern North Dakota near the Red River of the North
Location400 1st Avenue South, Fargo, North Dakota 58103
Coordinates46°52′23″N 96°47′11″W / 46.87306°N 96.78639°W / 46.87306; -96.78639
Built1962
Built byCook Sign Company
Architectural styleAmericana
Websitewww.ymcacassclay.org
NRHP reference No.100004062[1]
Added to NRHPMarch 17, 2022

The YMCA Sign is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[1] The neon sign stands in front the YMCA in downtown Fargo, North Dakota.

History[edit]

Starting in 1959, fundraising began for the Fargo-Moorhead Family YMCA and contributions totaled $1.2 million. This was the first time over a million dollars had been donated for a project in the history Fargo.[2] The new branch opened in 1962 with 801 members.[3]

The sign during the day with the YMCA building to the right

The Cook Sign Company constructed the sign in 1962, just after the building opened. In the subsequent years, Cook increasingly shifted toward producing similar electric signs because the 1965 Highway Beautification Act sharply reduced their sale of billboards. The local Fargo business lasted much longer than most signage companies, operating from 1897 to 2009.[4][5]

In 2009, the YMCA of Cass and Clay Counties changed the name of the branch to the "Fercho Family YMCA". This honored Dr. Cal and Doris Fercho, two long-term benefactors.[6]

In 2022, the national YMCA issued new branding guidelines to chapters which disallowed leaving up any exceptions. In order to preserve the non-conforming sign, the local YMCA successfully applied for listing it on the National Register of Historic Places.[7]

Architecture[edit]

The aluminum sign is representative of 1960s Americana and consists of a "Y" on a post. The serif font letter is 16 feet wide and 18 feet tall. The sides are cherry red, the faces are white, and a neon tubing runs along the edges.[8]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Weekly List 2022 03 25". National Park Service. National Register of Historic Places. April 1, 2022. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  2. ^ Olson, David (February 4, 2022). "Fargo downtown YMCA sign nominated for National Register of Historic Places". InForum. The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  3. ^ "Our History". YMCA of Cass and Clay Counties. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  4. ^ Rieskamp, Jacob (June 29, 2009). "Indigo Signworks Acquires Cook Sign Co". Signs of the Times: National Journal of Display Advertising. SmartWork Media. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  5. ^ Kitchen, Linda (April 3, 2006). "Banner Banter: A 20-shop survey reveals trends in the banner business". Signs of the Times: National Journal of Display Advertising. SmartWork Media. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  6. ^ "Downtown Fargo YMCA branch renamed to honor Fercho family". InForum. The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. October 7, 2009. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  7. ^ Olson, David (March 29, 2022). "'Y' sign outside downtown Fargo YMCA gains National Register of Historic Places status". InForum. The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  8. ^ "Three new North Dakota Listings Were Added" (PDF). Plains Talk. Vol. 53, no. 2 (Annual Report ed.). Bismarck, North Dakota: State Historical Society of North Dakota. 2022. p. 7. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
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