The Douglass Community Center is equipped with a full-size gymnasium with six basketball goals and a stage. The building is open seven days a week for informal and organized programs and activities.

History:

Douglass Center Group, undated.  Image courtesy City of Champaign 150th Anniversary Celebration Committee. Original of image may be from Champaign County Historical Archives. Click image to download high-resolution copy.

Douglass Center, 1980. Pictured are Stacey Terry and Gloria Hendricks. Image courtesy City of Champaign 150th Anniversary Celebration Committee. Original of image may be from Champaign County Historical Archives. Click image to download high-resolution copy.

Christmas at the Douglass Center, 1967. Image courtesy City of Champaign 150th Anniversary Celebration Committee. Original of image may be from Champaign County Historical Archives. Click image to download high-resolution copy.

Undated photograph of the Douglass Center. Pictured are Jay Robinson, age 10; Rochella Wilkerson, age 8; and Marchell Broadway, age 9.

Community Ball at the Douglass Center, undated. This photograph comes from the Doris K. Wylie Hoskins Archive. Please add additional information about this photograph.

• In July of 1941 neighborhood residents formed "The Douglass Community Service Center Committee" and had a mass meeting to start fund raising efforts because the black community's need were not being met with the inadequate, segregated facilities which existed at the time.
• By 1943, land adjacent to Douglass Park was acquired through increased efforts by the black community.
• In September of 1943 a second proposal to the federal government for a grant was made. The government agreed to offer $18,500 provided the community could raise an additional $14,500. Funds were raised from various groups including; the black community ($3000), Home and War Chest Organization ($2500), City of Champaign recreation Department ($3500), City of Urbana ($2000), and the remainder filed out by individual donations.
• Ground was broken for the new facility on Feb. 18, 1945
• Original construction cost of the 17,058 sq. ft building was $35,000
• Dedicated Sept. 23, 1945.

External Links

Information on Douglass Annex from eBlackCU: http://bit.ly/L71bmf

Douglass Center Activities.
Source: Champaign Park District.

Douglass Center Ribbon Cutting.
Source: Champaign Park District.