As summer arrives and the kids begin vacation, many of us look forward to trips to the beach or pool. But public swimming hasn't always been the ritual we enjoy today. The history of public bathing has been controversial at times and dangerous at others.
Bathers in Northern cities seemed to mingle according to race, but not gender or social status. Women bathed on alternate days from men in these public pools. For wealthy and upper middle class suburbanites, country clubs and private societies offered a more exclusive and recreational pool experience.
But the Polio scare of the '30's and '40's would soon empty the pools and beaches. When FDR came down with the crippling disease after a weekend away at a lake house in New Brunswick, the public drew an instant association with swimming and the summer scourge. Since Polio is resistant to soaps and chemicals of low pH, its spread became epidemic. But it was soon discovered that chlorine rendered the disease inactive. Old methods of pool sanitation involved frequently changing out the water and filters. Chlorine had been heavily produced during WWI, and its use in pools began in the 40's and became standard by the 1960's. Jonas Salk's vaccine brought swimmers back within a season or two as the beach beckoned and confidence rose again over fear.
Beach going is big business today. According to a study done in 2008 by James R. Houston, Ph.D., director of Research and Development, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, "It's estimated that U.S. beaches contribute more than $320 billion annually to the national economy -- more than 25 times what national parks bring in." The movie Jaws in the 1970's played on two big fears associated with swimming: the financial implications of closing a beach during a popular holiday season, and the primal fear of what may lurk in the deep.
As summer sings it siren song and beckons you to the waters, think about how this simple pleasure has been both enjoyed and forbidden in the past, and thank the Lord for the freedom and safety to take the plunge.
For discussion: Tell us about your favorite swimming hole. Does your family go to the beach every summer, or do you own a lake cottage? Do you pack up the kids and head to the public pool? Do you have a favorite memory involving swimming? Share with us!
Fun post, Kathy. And just think how the swimsuit has changed! I grew up living on lakes so swimming is something I've always taken for granted. As a matter of fact, I'm taking a young lady swimming today if we have time.
ReplyDeleteHow interesting to hear how bathing/swimming kept stopping when an outbreak of sickness occurred because they thought that was the cause. Yes the swimsuit has definitely changed over the years also, and NOT for the better! No offense to anyone, but I really don't need or want to see barely clothed women swimming. :)
ReplyDeleteWe were blessed to have a pool at this house when we bought it and the kids have spent their whole summers in it since.
Susan P
Kathy, what a fascinating history! Here in Florida, we take swimming for granted, and many of us have our own pools. And of course our beaches are the backgone of our economy.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, we rarely go swimming, and part of the reason why is associated with the two ladies' comments above - swimsuits. We have two boys, and in wanting them to remain pure minded, it would hardly be fair to put them in a position of being surrounded by barely clothed women and expect them to avert their eyes! So, it's a pretty rare thing to go to a beach or a public pool. We used to have friends with pools, and that was really nice, but they got rid of theirs.
ReplyDeleteWhen my children were growing up, every year, as soon as school was out for the summer, we would head for the beach--Myrtle Beach, SC. Sometimes we camped and sometimes we stayed in a motel. Each year the children took turns brings a friend. Great times!!
ReplyDeleteInteresting post, Kathleen! I always wondered about the connection between swimming and polio. Ann Tatlock's book "I'll Watch the Moon," takes place during the polio outbreak in the US.
ReplyDeleteI used to swim a lot and do laps until my shoulders gave up. Now I kick swim with a paddle board at my HOA clubhouse pool. We love to go to the Carlsbad Tamarack beach and walk along the walkway and also to Oceanside Harbor and Pier and walk along. We drive along the 101 coast highway and love to look at the ocean and enjoy the views. sharon, CA
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