by Erin Eddins

Signs of summer are everywhere. It seemed a long time coming this year. Realistically I knew it would eventually happen but each day the concern grew that maybe I would never again feel the gentle burn of a 95-degree sun on my shoulders. But alas, it came. Maybe not quite to 95 just yet but 90 feels just as good.

 

With the trees full of leaves and the air full of the familiar scent of lavender it is certain….summer is here.

 

Those of you recalling my upbringing in

Wyoming are probably wondering what summer memories I have. Admittedly summer out there is very short but still enjoyable. And the best part of it is swimming. My sister and I would swim in any body of water we could find. My favorite of which was

Sinks Canyon. Mind you the

Popo Agie River, which runs the course through the canyon, is cold and in places very violent, but wading in the shallow pools created at the banks was a favorite pastime of ours.

 

As I grew older I was allowed to take myself to the local pool but I continued to wade in creeks, ponds and fishing holes. I understand the termed used in these parts for the collective group is a swimming hole. I like the sound of that; any collection of water deep enough to get in! That is what summer is all about regardless of what part of the country you’re from.

 

As always, I began thinking of the old swimming holes here in

St. Joseph. Where were they? Who swam in them? What memories were made splashing around with friends and family? I began asking.

 

The most common response as I mentioned swimming was the unbelievably large pool that once sat at 26th and Angelique. The Municipal Pool opened in 1928 and by all accounts was something you had to see to believe. I have spent hours looking at the photo of this pool as if I were looking through a “Where’s Waldo?” book. I counted the people in the foreground, though came up with a different total each time. I compared the size of the pool with the house in the background. I looked at the size of the telephone pole in the front compared to the house in the back. And still I cannot begin to grasp what the size of the pool must have felt like. It was almost like a concrete lake. I wonder about the dimensions: how deep was it, could you swim across it, etc.

 

Unfortunately I will never get to experience the vast pool as it was built over during the 50s. Then again, that is part of what intrigues me about history, I like to hear from the people who experienced something I cannot. Any information and memories of this inland ocean would be so greatly appreciated.

 

Another frequent response as I asked around about swimming holes was simple…the river. Whether referring to the

Platte, Nodaway or Muddy Mo, the stories remained in the same vein: running down the bank at full speed, diving in almost in the same motion as stripping down to underwear.

 

The only other repeated answer was

Lake Contrary. You may remember a previous Old Joe article about

Lake Contrary. The Midway Bathhouse and Pool, and the lake itself, offered swimming memories to many of St. Joe’s residents. Again, anyone with stories to tell, please call, write or email The Regular Joe.

 

Well, now that summer is in full swing, the swimming holes will be filling with laughter and splashes. What a great way to make some memories! 

Posted by: admin on Saturday, June 14th, 2008
Filed under: Old Joe, General |