Our Past Is Present August 18, 2017

August 18, 2017

            This is “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.

            Today’s story is about the first swimming pool in Junction City. We shared with you in an earlier broadcast Junction City was one of the first communities in Kansas to have a public swimming pool. As the summer’s swimming season comes to a close, we wanted to share this story with you: “The first pool was located very near the site of today’s swimming complex.  The pool came about through the generosity of pioneer resident Sumner Pierce, who was the founder of Central National Bank.  He gave the park land to the city and was responsible for building the pool. 

            There was no special ceremony that marked the opening of the first pool, but community excitement was high nevertheless.”  On August 19 of 1913, the “Junction City Union” newspaper reminded “citizens of the big day and reported that dealers in bathing suits have sold their stock.  On the day of the opening of the pool, Fred Smith, the custodian of the new pool, awoke that morning and went to the pool soon after 5:00 AM. Much to his surprise there were three boys already there with their swimming suits on and waiting for the gates to open.  At 7:00 AM there were a dozen boys at the gate and by 8:00 AM the crowd numbered over 20.  When the gates opened at 9:00, 27 boys took the first plunge into the new pool’s water and in less than an hour the number had increased to over 50. The numbers kept increasing as the day continued.”  The newspaper observed that “the circus may draw the crowd tomorrow, but the playground and its pool drew the crowds today!!!”