Retro Indy: The Old Swimmin' Hole

Dawn Mitchell
dawn.mitchell@indystar.com
Swimmers pose on the diving platform of the Ellenberger Park swimming pool in 1929.
Swimmers pose on the diving platform of the Ellenberger Park swimming pool in 1929.
Star File Photo
Beating the head in 1965. If you can identify the pool - please let us know - we're stumped!
Beating the head in 1965. If you can identify the pool - please let us know - we're stumped!
IndyStar File
Dodging the heat in the shallow end of the Broad Ripple swimming pool in July 1948.
Dodging the heat in the shallow end of the Broad Ripple swimming pool in July 1948.
Star File Photo
Fun and games at the Westlake Beach Club swimming pool in 1968.
Fun and games at the Westlake Beach Club swimming pool in 1968.
File
Sarah Chimel, 6, Noblesville takes a turn on the diving board during the Beach Bash at Morse Beach Park in Noblesville Wednesday, June 23, 2010.  (Steve Sanchez/The Star)
Sarah Chimel, 6, Noblesville takes a turn on the diving board during the Beach Bash at Morse Beach Park in Noblesville Wednesday, June 23, 2010. (Steve Sanchez/The Star)
Steve Sanchez
Westlake Beach club turned into a miniature Coney Island as bathers dotted the beach in 1951.
Westlake Beach club turned into a miniature Coney Island as bathers dotted the beach in 1951.
William Palmer/The News
Ellenberger Park pool drew swimmers in 1929. Styles have changed, but swimming remains popular.
Ellenberger Park pool drew swimmers in 1929. Styles have changed, but swimming remains popular.
Star File Photo
Julie Huber is ready for the swimmers to hit the water at Greenwood City Pool where she lifeguards in 2001.
Julie Huber is ready for the swimmers to hit the water at Greenwood City Pool where she lifeguards in 2001.
GARY MOORE, INDIANAPOLIS STAR
Broad Ripple Park pool in 1970.
Broad Ripple Park pool in 1970.
Tim Halcomb/The News
Party-goers at the home of Carl and Jane Fisher line the deck of the Fishers glassed-in swimming pool in the summer of 1922.
Party-goers at the home of Carl and Jane Fisher line the deck of the Fishers glassed-in swimming pool in the summer of 1922.
File
One-piece swimwear in 1929 makes it hard to tell the women from the men in this photo of swimmers at Ellenberger Park.
One-piece swimwear in 1929 makes it hard to tell the women from the men in this photo of swimmers at Ellenberger Park.
Star File Photo
7/26/2003 Flashback.      The warm summer weather on July 17, 1955 provided the perfect conditions for an outing to Whitewater State Park for three mothers and their children. Mrs. Norman Davis and her children, Mike and Beverly; Mrs. Leroy Dickerson and her children, Mike, Greg, Diana and Claudia, and Mrs. Frederich Becker and her children, Kathie and Stevie, all of Cambridge City, enjoyed a swim at the park, which is in Liberty. Whitewater State Park has one of Indiana's best family-oriented campgrounds. It has 273 Class A and 57 Class B campsites, most in shady areas. A 200-acre, stocked lake in the park is a perfect place for outdoor recreation -- you can rent row boats for $5 an hour or $20 a day and paddle boats for $8 an hour. Indianapolis Star File Photo
7/26/2003 Flashback. The warm summer weather on July 17, 1955 provided the perfect conditions for an outing to Whitewater State Park for three mothers and their children. Mrs. Norman Davis and her children, Mike and Beverly; Mrs. Leroy Dickerson and her children, Mike, Greg, Diana and Claudia, and Mrs. Frederich Becker and her children, Kathie and Stevie, all of Cambridge City, enjoyed a swim at the park, which is in Liberty. Whitewater State Park has one of Indiana's best family-oriented campgrounds. It has 273 Class A and 57 Class B campsites, most in shady areas. A 200-acre, stocked lake in the park is a perfect place for outdoor recreation -- you can rent row boats for $5 an hour or $20 a day and paddle boats for $8 an hour. Indianapolis Star File Photo
The Indianapolis Star
Diving into the Ellenberger Park pool in 1971.
Diving into the Ellenberger Park pool in 1971.
William Palmer/The News
Sunbathing at the Broad Ripple pool in 1946.
Sunbathing at the Broad Ripple pool in 1946.
File
Beating the heat at Brookside Park in 1978.
Beating the heat at Brookside Park in 1978.
Horace Ketring/The News
Eagle Creek Park beach visitors on a fiery summer day in 1977 when the temperatures teetered on the edge of 100 degrees.
Eagle Creek Park beach visitors on a fiery summer day in 1977 when the temperatures teetered on the edge of 100 degrees.
Patty Espich/The News
Longacre Recreation Park's kidney-shaped pool made the Southside facility one of the city's most popular recreation centers. Shown in June 1930
Longacre Recreation Park's kidney-shaped pool made the Southside facility one of the city's most popular recreation centers. Shown in June 1930
STAR/NEWS
Jim Milborn (left), 19, and Todd Spohn, 17, plunged into the cool deep water from the high dive tower at Sahm Park near Castleton on July 7, 1981.
Jim Milborn (left), 19, and Todd Spohn, 17, plunged into the cool deep water from the high dive tower at Sahm Park near Castleton on July 7, 1981.
John Gentry/The News
This June 1952 photo shows nearly 100 children lining up at the Rhodius Park pool on the westside for their first swimming lesson as the Red Cross' "Learn to Swim" program got under way.
This June 1952 photo shows nearly 100 children lining up at the Rhodius Park pool on the westside for their first swimming lesson as the Red Cross' "Learn to Swim" program got under way.
Robert Lavelle
Sarah Schutz, a lifeguard and swimming instructor for the Indianapolis Parks and Recreation Dept. gave swimming lessons to kids at the Garfield Park pool in 1981.
Sarah Schutz, a lifeguard and swimming instructor for the Indianapolis Parks and Recreation Dept. gave swimming lessons to kids at the Garfield Park pool in 1981.
Bob Doeppers/The News
On an overheated day in June 1993 when the temperature in Indianapolis climbed to 90 degrees, 14-month-old Caitlin Murt stayed comfortably and fashionably cool in the Jordan YMCA's swimming pool.
On an overheated day in June 1993 when the temperature in Indianapolis climbed to 90 degrees, 14-month-old Caitlin Murt stayed comfortably and fashionably cool in the Jordan YMCA's swimming pool.
Patty Espich/The News
Dr. Gilbert Quinn, chairman of the swimming committee at Highland Golf and Country Club, gave instructions from the diving board on June 10, 1951. Son Mickey was the about-to-be-dunked pupil.
Dr. Gilbert Quinn, chairman of the swimming committee at Highland Golf and Country Club, gave instructions from the diving board on June 10, 1951. Son Mickey was the about-to-be-dunked pupil.
Herbert Rhodes
Undated photo of Broad Ripple Pool
Undated photo of Broad Ripple Pool
FILE PHOTO
Possible Flashback.      The swimming area at Indiana beach on Lake Shafer near Monticello was packed with people as temperatures and humidity reached uncomfortable levels on Aug. 4, 1983. At right, Tim and Denise Bertagnolli played in the sand after a cooling dip in the water. Indianapolis News Photo / Gary Moore
Possible Flashback. The swimming area at Indiana beach on Lake Shafer near Monticello was packed with people as temperatures and humidity reached uncomfortable levels on Aug. 4, 1983. At right, Tim and Denise Bertagnolli played in the sand after a cooling dip in the water. Indianapolis News Photo / Gary Moore
Various Star Photographers
Marnie Allenby, plays with Justin McEntire of Indianapolis, 7, during a pool party Wednesday evening at Camp Little Red Door at Bradford Woods.
Marnie Allenby, plays with Justin McEntire of Indianapolis, 7, during a pool party Wednesday evening at Camp Little Red Door at Bradford Woods.
LISA KRANTZ
The swimming pool at Greenfield's Riley Park was built in 1930.  It underwent a renovation in 1973. August 5, 1953
The swimming pool at Greenfield's Riley Park was built in 1930. It underwent a renovation in 1973. August 5, 1953
Bob Doeppers Photo
The swimming hole immortalized by Hoosier poet James Whitcomb Riley never looked like this. This scene, outside the public pool in Lebanon's Memorial Park on July 1, 1970, was where dozens of youngsters parked their bicycles.
The swimming hole immortalized by Hoosier poet James Whitcomb Riley never looked like this. This scene, outside the public pool in Lebanon's Memorial Park on July 1, 1970, was where dozens of youngsters parked their bicycles.
Horace Ketring
8/4/01 Flashback      The high dive into the cool water at Broad Ripple Park was a popular means of escaping Indianapolis' sweltering weather on June 16, 1946 as the temperature soared to a high of 90 degrees. The old Broad Ripple pool was once billed as the largest concrete pool in the world, spanding 210 feet across and 450 feet in length. It lost that status in the mid-1940s when it was surpassed by Fleishacker Pool in San Francisco, a salt water pool 200 feet by 1000 feet. The Broad Ripple pool wasthe site of the 1924 and 1952 Olympic Swimming Trials, but it closed as a swimming facility in 1976, due to deterioration. That following June, the pool was converted into a pay fishing pond and stocked with 400 bullhead catfish and 200 edible Lake Huron carp. Those 18 and older were charged 50 cents to catch as many fish as they could, but there was a limit of leaving with only two fish each day. But that venture didn't succeed Ð its popularity died as the result of the stench caused by stagnant waterand dead fish. The pool sat unused in the summer of 1978, until the Department of Parks and Recreation came up with another alternative use for the pool, transforming it into a multi-sports facility for basketball, tennis, badminton, volleyball, badminton and tether ball. Lack of care eventually took a toll, however, leaving it as just a hole in the ground with cracks, debris and weeds by 1979. The old pool was filled in once funding was approved for a new 6,926-square foot pool (still in use), which opened in May 1984 as part of a $1.4 million renovation at the park.
8/4/01 Flashback The high dive into the cool water at Broad Ripple Park was a popular means of escaping Indianapolis' sweltering weather on June 16, 1946 as the temperature soared to a high of 90 degrees. The old Broad Ripple pool was once billed as the largest concrete pool in the world, spanding 210 feet across and 450 feet in length. It lost that status in the mid-1940s when it was surpassed by Fleishacker Pool in San Francisco, a salt water pool 200 feet by 1000 feet. The Broad Ripple pool wasthe site of the 1924 and 1952 Olympic Swimming Trials, but it closed as a swimming facility in 1976, due to deterioration. That following June, the pool was converted into a pay fishing pond and stocked with 400 bullhead catfish and 200 edible Lake Huron carp. Those 18 and older were charged 50 cents to catch as many fish as they could, but there was a limit of leaving with only two fish each day. But that venture didn't succeed Ð its popularity died as the result of the stench caused by stagnant waterand dead fish. The pool sat unused in the summer of 1978, until the Department of Parks and Recreation came up with another alternative use for the pool, transforming it into a multi-sports facility for basketball, tennis, badminton, volleyball, badminton and tether ball. Lack of care eventually took a toll, however, leaving it as just a hole in the ground with cracks, debris and weeds by 1979. The old pool was filled in once funding was approved for a new 6,926-square foot pool (still in use), which opened in May 1984 as part of a $1.4 million renovation at the park.
STAR/NEWS PHOTOGRAPHERS
Lifeguards at the Broad Ripple pool in 1933 (L to R) George Lehman, Frank Barnett, Amo Wade and Earl Montgomery.
Lifeguards at the Broad Ripple pool in 1933 (L to R) George Lehman, Frank Barnett, Amo Wade and Earl Montgomery.
File
Forest Park swimming pool in Noblesville.  1933
Forest Park swimming pool in Noblesville. 1933
File
Rhodius Park pool June 11, 1936
Rhodius Park pool June 11, 1936
File
The Riviera Club swimming pool on Aug. 18, 1942.
The Riviera Club swimming pool on Aug. 18, 1942.
Indianapolis Star File Photo
Hijinks at the Willard Park pool in july, 1932.
Hijinks at the Willard Park pool in july, 1932.
File
Maddy Jackson  age 4 of Noblesville, jumps off the diving board of the raft to her mom Chris Jackson, at the Beach Bash at Morse Park Beach in 2006.
Maddy Jackson age 4 of Noblesville, jumps off the diving board of the raft to her mom Chris Jackson, at the Beach Bash at Morse Park Beach in 2006.
Joe Vitti Indianapolis Star