WATER, WATER, EVERYWHERE

Hagerstown’s hot days of summer were made a little more pleasant in 1930 when Howard Kaylor opened the Maple Grove Swimming Pool on Frederick Road, just in time for the July Fourth holiday. Aside from being the first public pool in the city, its 110 feet by 200 feet dimensions ranked it as the largest in Western Maryland. The bathhouse boasted 1,000 lockers for men and 500 for women, and featured several lavatories and showers. (Bathers were required to shower off before entering the pool). Evening swims featured live bands playing poolside, while at other times an employee played the Victrola and radio music through outdoor amplifiers.

The new attraction was such a novelty that in July the following year, Olympic champion swimmer Johnny Weissmuller stopped by to give an exhibition of swimming and diving techniques to a crowd of more than 1,200 spectators. The star’s appearance was locally sponsored by Hoffman’s Style Shop which happened to promote its new line of B.V.D. Swim Suits, designed by Weissmuller himself, and notably the swimwear of choice for all Maple Grove lifeguards.

Although the summer hot spot was popular, Kaylor lost ownership by 1933, and operation of the pool was turned over the city. When the gates opened for the following season, the new management was made apparent by the large white lettering on the bathhouse roof: Municipal Swimming Pool

As the structure aged, it was eventually replaced by a new pool and reopened in 1973. Two years later, the Municipal Swimming Pool was renamed the Claude M. Potterfield Swimming Pool, in honor of the former parks board chairman who was instrumental in raising the funds required to rebuild the pool at the former site.

This vintage image was preserved and provided courtesy of Washington County Historical Society. To enjoy hundreds more historic views from society’s collection, visit washcohistory.org