From the vault: Baltimore swimming pools through the years
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.
- Private swimming pool, June 21, 1964. (STACKS/Baltimore Sun)
- July 22, 1980. Lisa and Mike Jerscherd relax and beat the heat in their pool on East Gittings avenue with their guest Rody Barthelmes.
- 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)
- Private pool in the Arnold Alexander home, August 10, 1980.
- Carol Gibson, manager of the public pool in Druid Hill Park, June 30, 1978. (Phillips/Baltimore Sun)
- Lakewood Swimming Pool, May 29, 1966. (Klender/Baltimore Sun)
- Patterson Park Swimming Pool, July 19, 1977.
- Private pool, June 23, 1972. (HUTCHINS/Baltimore Sun)
- YMCA swim-mobile on July 30, 1967.
- 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.”
- Patterson Park Swimming Pool, July 10, 1925. (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.
- Shad Landing swimming pool, July 19,1964. (Bodine/Baltimore Sun)
- Milford Swimming Pool, June 30, 1959. (Garrett/Baltimore Sun)
- Clifton Park Swimming Pool, June 30, 1948 (Cosden/Baltimore Sun)
- Swimming pool on Harford Road, August 5, 1946 (Merriken/Baltimore Sun)
- Gwynn’s Falls Swimming Pool, June 27, 1938. (Baltimore Sun)
- Druid Hill Park Springs Swimming Pool, August 16, 1937. (Baltimore Sun)
- Gwynn’s Falls Swimming Pool, August 2, 1937. (Baltimore Sun)