May 26, 2016

From the vault: Baltimore swimming pools through the years

Christina Tkacik 0 Comment From the Vault, The Baltimore Sun baltimore history, clifton park, Druid Hill Park, Patterson Park, retro baltimore, swimming pools

19 Photos

Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start to summer with the most important event of the year for sun and water worshippers: the opening of local pools. From Druid Hill to Patterson Park, Baltimore is home to a number of pools, many of which have been around since the time your great grandmother did her first cannonball. As a side observation – some of these pools used to be way bigger, and way cooler-looking in the olden times. On that note, we thought it would be a perfect time to revisit some old photos of Baltimoreans enjoying the pool through the decades, as we slather on the sunscreen and prepare to dive in.

: Patterson Park Swimming Pool, July 10, 1925. (Baltimore Sun)

: Gwynn’s Falls Swimming Pool, August 2, 1937. (Baltimore Sun)

: Druid Hill Park Springs Swimming Pool, August 16, 1937. (Baltimore Sun)

: Gwynn’s Falls Swimming Pool, June 27, 1938. (Baltimore Sun)

: Swimming pool on Harford Road, August 5, 1946 (Merriken/Baltimore Sun)

: Clifton Park Swimming Pool, June 30, 1948 (Cosden/Baltimore Sun)

: Milford Swimming Pool, June 30, 1959. (Garrett/Baltimore Sun)

: Shad Landing swimming pool, July 19,1964. (Bodine/Baltimore Sun)

: Private pool in Downtown Baltimore, August 22, 1965. Caption: Downtown Baltimore backyards can be nade attractive. Private effort by apartment house owner in the 100 block of S. Preston street features this relaxing swim pool.

: Private swimming pool, June 21, 1964. (STACKS/Baltimore Sun)

: The newly-integrated Druid Hill Park Springs Swimming Pool, June 23, 1956. (Robinson/Baltimore Sun) The caption for this photo read: “FOLLOW THE LEADER INTO THE DRINK — Not all of the divers are executed with Olympic skill at Druid Hill Park, but who cares? The five pools are now open to members of all races.”

: YMCA swim-mobile on July 30, 1967.

: Private pool, June 23, 1972. (HUTCHINS/Baltimore Sun)

: Patterson Park Swimming Pool, July 19, 1977.

: Lakewood Swimming Pool, May 29, 1966. (Klender/Baltimore Sun)

: Carol Gibson, manager of the public pool in Druid Hill Park, June 30, 1978. (Phillips/Baltimore Sun)

: Private pool in the Arnold Alexander home, August 10, 1980.

: June 26, 1983. In the swim Monica Goins surfaced for air yesterday after a refreshing swim in the City Springs neighborhood pool. Youngsters gathered there and at other free city public pools for the official summer opening. The pools will be open noon to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 to 7 p.m. on Sundays through August 21. (CHILDRESS/Baltimore Sun)