The city of Wichita built a structure 260 feet long and 160 feet wide as a meeting place for the people of the city and surrounding territory. It is designed so that it may be used for a horse show or a concert, for a political convention or a lecture. Steel, brick and cement were used in its construction at a cost of $170,000 and it has a seating capacity of 5,500. This capacity can be enlarged about 1,000 when seats are placed on the stage.
Y. M. C. A. Building, Wichita
The home of the Y. M. C. A., Wichita, was built in 1907 at a cost of $110,000. With three stories and basement it contains forty-five sleeping rooms and suites. The auditorium seats 700 and the gymnasium, 42 by 78 feet, contains a 32-lap running track. In addition to the usual tub and shower baths, the building has a swimming pool, 60 by 20 feet, lined with tile and graduating in depth from three to eight feet. The roof is designed so that it may be used as a roof garden on warm evenings. The first meeting to organize a Y. M. C. A. in Wichita was held in 1885. The money for the present building was subscribed in a three weeks’ campaign.
In 1913 the Y. W. C. A. of Wichita acquired a home costing $100,000, the funds coming from public subscriptions.
The High School, Wichita
When Wichita opened its first High School, in 1868, there were eight pupils and one teacher. One room afforded the necessary space. The Wichita High School of today gives by contrast some impression of the growth of the city. Now about 40 teachers are employed in training 800 pupils.
The building cost $200,000 and has fifty rooms. Manual training and domestic science are included in the courses of study. Credits from the Wichita High School are accepted by the leading colleges and universities, both for men and women, throughout the country.
