The Eau Claire Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) was first organized in September 1881. The YMCA offered reading, gospel meetings, socialization, and physical fitness opportunities. First located on the second floor of 112 Kelsey (now East Grand Avenue), the YMCA was housed in rooms above the post office from 1883 to 1895. In 1912, a new YMCA building was constructed at the corner of Farwell and Gibson Streets. The fundraising campaign for the building centered on the need to provide better recreational and sleeping accommodations for “Clan Gordon,” a local group of boys. In the 1950s, the YMCA moved to its present location on Graham Avenue. In 2019, the Eau Claire Downtown YMCA and the Chippewa Valley Family YMCA merged to form the YMCA of the Chippewa Valley.