221 S Plain St Ithaca (as of 1899) 33 S Plain St Ithaca

Multi-Family Construction: ; 
Roof of Main Structure: Non-combustible; 
Additional Sections: Section 1, back (E), 1 story, non-combustible roof; 
Porches: ; 
Outbuildings: ; 
Other: Demolished for Southside Community Building

Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division, Sanborn Maps Collection

"The Serv-Us League held its first meeting at its new home last night and plans were perfected to the opening of a colored community house. Members are making an earnest appeal to all who have any house furnishings such as chairs, bookcases, books, in fact, anything that goes to make a house, to send them to 221 South Plain Street this week that they may open very soon. If there is anything that can be sent for Mrs. Irvin (dial 6638) Mr. Hammond (9236) Mrs. Cooper (31483) may be notified and they will see to it that it is attended to."

"'Serv Us' In New Quarters; League Needs," Ithaca Journal, August 13, 1929, 7.

“An admirably located and adaptable house has been obtained at 221 South Plain Street….

The history of the establishment of this center is a tribute in itself to the foresight and efforts of the modern Negro. Three years ago the members of the Francis Harper Club saw the need of a social center, especially for the young people. Their president, Mrs. Vera Irvin, organized a committee to sponsor such a movement, led by Mrs. [Jessie] Cooper; Mrs. Elizabeth Reesby, secretary; Mrs. Irvin, treasurer, and other members, T. M. Redman, John Mason, Evert Reesby, Mrs. Cornelia Williams, Mrs. Dora Woodson, Mrs. Hattie Jones. They appointed a board of directors headed by Miss Lucy Prather, with Lloyd Hammond as vice-president; Lydia James, secretary; Mary Paine, treasurer, and Mrs. Jessie Johnson, Mrs. Florence Russell, Miss Jones, Frank White, Preston Hackley. The advisory board consisted of J. W. Hook, R. E. Treman, Harry Stutz, L. C. Boochever, John Mason, Dr. Esther Parker, Mrs. Virgil Morse, Vera Irvin, Mrs. Cooper, Elizabeth Reesby and Leeta Houghton. This is the group that after two years of earnest work has realized their ideal and initiated a Community Center.”

“To Establish Negro Center Next Tuesday,” Ithaca Journal-News, September 5, 1929, 5.

Servus League Center, 221 S Plain St

H. A. Manning Co, Schenectady, NY