A view of the YMCA Western Branch at 1601 Clark Avenue - Photo from Aug. 17, 2026

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.DetroitAuthenticLens.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

A view of the YMCA Western Branch at 1601 Clark Avenue - Photo from Aug. 17, 2026

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.DetroitAuthenticLens.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

A look out over the courtyard

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.DetroitAuthenticLens.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

The triangle was the symbol of the YMCA back then, before they went to the "Y"-shaped symbol we know today, which if you look at it closely, still incorporates the triangle into the design. The three sides of the triangle corresponded to the three points identified on the frieze sculpture above the entrance: Mind, Body, and Spirit.

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.DetroitAuthenticLens.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

Men's entrance detail

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.DetroitAuthenticLens.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

Boy's entrance

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.DetroitAuthenticLens.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

The Western Branch sign lit up by a nearby LED street light

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.DetroitAuthenticLens.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

A view at the gymnasium from the courtyard

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.DetroitAuthenticLens.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

The backside of the building in 2022

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.DetroitAuthenticLens.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

The backside of the building in 2022

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.DetroitAuthenticLens.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

A view of the YMCA Western Branch at 1601 Clark Avenue - Photo from Aug. 17, 2026

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.DetroitAuthenticLens.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

Photo from Sep. 4, 2022

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.DetroitAuthenticLens.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

Photo from Sep. 4, 2022

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.DetroitAuthenticLens.com) of HistoricDetroit.org