Picturing the Past

Picturing the Past

The Princeton Pool

Construction began on the Princeton Municipal Swimming Pool in May of 1954, and continued until the summer of 1955. The 230,000-gallon main pool was 7200 sq. ft. with a smaller “baby” pool being 480 sq. ft. The site on Spruce Street was chosen because of its proximity to Lafayette Park and was the area of a former city dump. The plans for the pool were drawn by Vincennes architect Lester Routt, who incidentally had designed and constructed the High School (Middle School) Gym the same year. The pool which opened on May 30, was formally dedicated on Saturday, July 2nd, 1955, with great fanfare as Dr. Allen Brink sang the

Construction of the Princeton Pool in 1954. .Princeton pool in the mid-1950’s

Photo credit Greg Wright

National Anthem to open the ceremonies. The $120,000 facility was partially funded by a $60,000 donation from Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Brengle, who spoke at the dedication along with Mayor M.V. Woodruff and Judge Dale Eby, who stated that the pool would provide summer activities for children and reduce the number of acts of juvenile delinquencies. Safety demonstrations as well as synchronized swimming by the Aqua-Maids of Evansville were presented. That season nearly 36,000 swimmers attended the pool. By the time the closing day came on September 5, 1955, The City realized $3000 profit from the pool that inaugural season. Season tickets were $3 for children and $6 for adults. The Princeton Municipal Swimming Pool was torn down after the 2013 season, and the splash park had been added a couple years earlier. The Princeton Aquatic Center opened in 2014 for only 10 days. Its first full season was in 2015.

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