Donner Park

[jdhinkle]

MORE SWIM PAGES COMING UP


NOTICE THE V. E . SPROUSE CO A FEW YEARS LATER BECAME VERNCO ETC





NOTICE ALONG WITH ADS THE COACHES AND ADMINISTRATERS ARE LISTED

I REMEMBER PAUL STACKER TELLING ME NOT TO PUSH OFF THE BOTTOM IN THE BREATSTROKE RACES THAT YOU COULD SWIM UNDER WATER THEN

[jdhinkle]

LAST GROUP COMING UP




LAST BUT NOT LEAST

[jdhinkle]

I FOUND ANOTHER ITEM A MERIT AWARD





SIGNED BY COACH BARROWS AND PAUL STACKER

[RER]

Jack that Donner Pool swim meet (Program) of 1952 is really a great find. If a person was born in the 1930s,1940s and early 1950s, they will see and remember many names and businesses. I enlarged the pages and found like you lots of kids (at the time) I knew.

One in later years when I was in the 10th grade was Larry Whipker a former CHS basketball player and farmer. My brother and I used to bale hay for Larry during the hot summer months. I think Larry is still farming somewhat today around the county.

Some names we both went to CHS with; as others will find the same. What is nice is most active Historical Message Board members should find a name they remember. Some of the vendors and businesses I never heard of, but most I do recall.

Thanks for posting such a great piece of Donner Park history of the past.

[richard]

The following from 1959, is in the Looking Back feature in today’s edition of The Republic newspaper.

A long and hot dry spell is credited with record-breaking attendance at the Donner Park Pool. With two weeks remaining in the season, attendance of 108,963 has already broken the previous record.

[jdhinkle]

I DON'T WANT TO SHOCK ANYONE BUT THE REASON FOR THIS PICTURE IS THESE THREE BOYS
WERE MEMBERS OF THE DONNER SWIN TEAM IN THE EARLY 50S



THE BOY IN THE MIDDLE IS DISPLAYING HIS 'D' AWARDED TO SUCCESSFUL PARTICIPANTS OF THE TEAM

ALTHOUGH ITS A LITTLE HARD TO IDENTIFY THE TWO BOYS ON THE LEFT OF THE TALL SKINNY KID ARE DISPLAYING SOME SWIMMING AWARDS THEY WON DURING COMPETITION

IN CASE ANYONE DOESNT RECOGNISE THEM
THEY ARE THE HINKLE BOYS

[jdhinkle]

RICHARD SENT ME THIS IN AN EMAIL

IT IS INTERESTING

Source:
Republic
June 30, 1998



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Name same, but Donner different
By

Harry

McCawley

The

Republic


BASED on the oppressive heat of the past few days, I have a suggestion as to one of the ways Columbus Parks and Recreation Department can mark Saturday's 50th anniversary celebration of the opening of Donner Pool.

Put in an order for three or four tons of block ice and dump it into the pool.

It's been done before, and although there's some question as to whether it cooled things off that much, there were people who felt cooler after swimming among the mini-icebergs.

The pool had been open only a short time, but it was long enough for people to start complaining. The man they complained to was the late Paul Stacker, who was brought to Columbus in 1948 to manage the enormous facility.

Pretty basic

On the occasion of its 25th anniversary in 1973, Paul recalled how the pool was pretty basic in some respects.

"One of the problems we had when we first opened it was that we had no way of heating the water. We also had no way of cooling it."

That led to complaints about warm water in mid-July, but Paul had an interesting resolution.

"My idea was more for publicity than anything else. I contacted the ice company, and they sent over these trucks with three or four tons of block ice and dumped them into the pool. The lifeguards would sit on those big chunks of ice and by the time they got over to the deep section it was almost melted to the point where you couldn't even play on it anymore. I was told by engineers that I had really only lowered the water temperature by one degree but everybody who was in the pool believed it was a lot cooler."

The gimmick involving the blocks of ice is only one of the memories associated with Donner Pool.

Gifts of Donner

The pool and its neighboring community building were the gifts of a philanthropist named William Donner. Some might consider it a payback for his childhood because William Donner -- who made millions in the steel business and developed the Pennsylvania town (Donora) that would bear his name -- was born and raised in Columbus.

Donner Pool and Donner Center were but "installments" on gifts by the steel magnate to his hometown. In 1916 he provided the land that would be Donner Park. In 1947 he gave almost $100,000 to First Presbyterian Church -- which was across Franklin Street from his boyhood home -- for the construction of a recreation building.

But it is the pool that most Columbus people associate with Will Donner. Ironically the idea for a pool came about when he was planning a gift to another Columbus institution -- The Francis Comfort Thomas Orphanage.

During a visit to the city in 1944 to discuss the gift for the orphanage with Columbus banker John Suverkrup, Donner was told of the city's need for a swimming pool.

There wasn't much in the way of swimming facilities to offer local children of that era. There was a pool at the high school (now Central Middle School) and a couple of fill and draw pools (they would be drained in the evenings and refilled the next day) but nothing to properly accommodate a city that was to experience tremendous growth in the post-war years.

Suverkrup go-between

The philanthropist liked the idea and asked Columbus Mayor Carlos Folger to draw plans. The go-between in the process was John Suverkrup.

"When Mr. Donner got ready to do something Mr. John Suverkrup was the man for the job," the former mayor recalled years later.

The initial donation was to cover the cost of the pool, but city officials pointed out the need for a community building, an idea that was accepted by the philanthropist. He ordered his foundation to finance the construction of the building that is today Donner Center.

There were strings attached to the gift. Donner had stipulated that 10 percent of all receipts were to be set aside to cover major improvements, and then there were his thoughts about the prime users of the pool. Every child was to be admitted free to swim for 90 minutes each day.

A lot's changed about the center and the pool that bears the name of a man who couldn't forget where he got his start.

Donner Center was expanded several years ago, and the pool underwent a major facelift this year.

The name has even been amended to the stiff sounding title of aquatics center.

That's all right. For a lot of people around here, it'll always be Donner Pool.



Harry McCawley is associate editor of The Republic

[nancs]

With Christmas behind us, and in the midst of 'winter snow news' on the TV-----------noted one news item about 'outdoor ice skating' in Santa Monica, CA--------------and triggered, for me, a Columbus 'winter memory.'

Am guessing in the late 40s, or VERY early 50s, that they flooded the tennis courts at Donner Park to make an ice skating area. Remember that I donned my mom's old ice skates and gave a try at ice skating. Seems to me that the ice lasted for two or three nights of good skating before the ice broke up. Definitely remember it being a lot of fun.

Both my parents had ice skates----------so am now pondering, lo so many years later-------------where did they ice skate, affording the expense of 'shoe' skates. Hmmmmmmmm???

Nanc

[Guest]

Back in the 5o's there were a few times, maybe 3 or 4 that I participated, when it was cold for a long enough period of time, that some of us ice skated on the lagoon off of 17th and Washington Street. I recall hearing rumors that some kids had skated at Harrison Lake a time or two.

[afreeman]

How well I remember these programs from the 4-way meet at Donner every summer. That swimming meet is what got me interested in swimming when I was 6-7 years old. I thought how neat it would be to be down there at night swimming around with everybody up in the stands watching me. Guess I was an exhibitionist at a very young age.

I think my brother joined the team in 1956 or 57 and I joined the team in 1958 at the ripe old age of 8. Nate Bush coached the younger age group kids then. I was sorry to hear that Mr. Bush passed on just last year I believe, down in Ft. Myers. Coach Barrows coached the age groups older than 10, if memory serves right. My brother Dean and I both swam for Donner for ten years each.

My father owned Freeman Printing Company on 16th Street, one block South of McKinley School. He actually printed these programs posted here. He printed them every year at least through the mid '70s and maybe longer. Seeing them again sure brings back some fond memories.
- Al Freeman

[jabaker]

Spent lots of time at Donner. We often had family reunions there. I remember that tetherpole type thing that you had to jump to get to. Not many used it. I also remember the slide. We called it the wiggly slide. I believe it was removed after a child fell from it and was killed.
There used to be shows at the shelter house. I recall seeing Shorty Shehan there. Anyone remember him?

[RER]

Jun 14, 2010 10:15:12 GMT -5 jabaker said:

Spent lots of time at Donner. We often had family reunions there. I remember that tetherpole type thing that you had to jump to get to. Not many used it. I also remember the slide. We called it the wiggly slide. I believe it was removed after a child fell from it and was killed.
There used to be shows at the shelter house. I recall seeing Shorty Shehan there. Anyone remember him?

Welcome "jabaker" !! I have been reading your recollections about Columbus and you have touched on a few places that brings back many memories. As you can see there are so many past memories of members that post, and we are glad you are posting your thoughts and experiences. I have said many times a new person/member finding these boards and all the threads, could spend weeks reading the flow of Columbus History. The history starts in the early 1800s and comes to the present. Only folks like you and other members can make it interesting, and you have begun to make your marks.

Keep up the comments and even pictures if you have some. We can help you post pictures of interest. Again, welcome to the boards.

Bob (RER)

[jabaker]

Thanks Bob, I appreciate the welcome. I don't know that I have a whole lot of pictures, probably just school pictures.
My parents have several of the books that have been published about the area's history and I've enjoyed catching up on visits the past few years.
I went away to college in 1972 and never returned to Columbus, only to visit family. I ended up in Florida and have been here since 1987.
As I've mentioned, I grew up on a farm in Sandcreek township, so I may not have quite as many memories of Columbus as I never "roamed" there. I have an old aerial photo I keep at my desk of the farm. It has been torn down and there is no sign that a home was every there. I lived north of Azalia, on the next road north of Mineral Springs. The old farm was on the Ed Armuth Ditch. He owned the farm and his daughter was the girls dean at the high school until 1970 or so. Her name was Josephine Armuth. I'm sure many here remember her.

[David Sechrest]

jabaker said: Remember when you went to the Donner Pool, you waded through a pool of water as you left the dressing room to go outside. A lifeguard would sit in a chair by the door and you had to show them both sides of your hands and the bottoms of your feet?

ja, welcome to the Historic Columbus Indiana Message Board!

I had to laugh when I read your post...I forgot all about the lifeguard checking hands and feet!

[jabaker]

Thanks for the welcome David.
I graduated the same year as your sister. I never knew her personally but I knew who she was and recognized her in the halls. I think we may have had mutual friends.
I have been reading your website for several years. I really enjoy it, I think it's a sign of getting older when we get such a thrill looking back. Columbus is such a unique community and I agree that I feel priviledged to have grown up here.
I hope you are feeling better, take care.

[jdhinkle]

AFTER READING JABAKER AND OTHER COMMENTS I PUT TOGETHER THIS COLLAGE FROM PICTURES I SAW FROM THE FLICKR FILE OF THE BARTH CO HISTORICAL SOCIETY



SHOULD JOG SOME GOOD MEMORIES

THE UPPER RIGHT OF THE SHELTER HOUSE IF YOU LOOK WAY DOWN TO THE RIGHT BACK CORNER WAS WHERE THE KIDS GOT THEIR CROQUET MALLETS AND GAMES

THE CROWD OF BIKE RIDERS SHOW DOLPH BECKS STAND IN THE BACKGROUND THE TETHER BALL POLES ARE STILL THERE IN THE MIDDLE PLAYGROUND TO THE RIGHT

WITH A FEW SHOTS OF THE POOL

[jaynecarmichael]

I went to the swimming pool with my neighbor Janet Greenlee and her father, sometime in the early 1940s. It was the first time I'd ever been in a pool, and I was walking along and the water got deeper and suddenly I went under and was really scared. Janet's father helped me learn to float on my back; he was a great guy (Harley Greenlee) and also helped me learn to ride a bike, and let us hook our sleds to his car and slowly pull us along the street (PA) when there was no traffic.

[David Sechrest]

Here is a news article I happened upon while researching my Crump Theatre book.

From The Evening Republican, April 17, 1929:

Playground As Memorial Will Be Given City: Amusement Place Will Include Wading, Swimming Pools, and Other Equipment

Purchase of eight acres of ground, which will be transformed into the Mary Louise Wieser Playground for Children of Columbus was announced today by Mr. and Mrs. L. J. Wieser of this city.
The plot of ground is located just north of Nineteenth Street and east of Donner park, and work of transforming it into a playground was started a number of days ago. Grass has been sown over the entire eight acres, and other work will be done in the near future.
The playground is to be established as a memorial for Miss Mary Louise Wieser by her mother, Mrs. Nannie Mooney Wieser, it was said. Miss Wieser, who died May 11, 1915, at the age of 23 years, was a most popular young woman, a leader in her circle of friends, and an active member of a number of organizations here.
Tentative plans for equipping the playground have been outlined by Mr. and Mrs. Wieser, but they intend to secure information concerning similar type playgrounds in other cities before going ahead with the work. The playground is to be completed this summer, however, and then will be presented to the city.
The playground, intended for only boys and girls who are not old enough to be out of grade school, will include a wading pool for little tots and a swimming pool for children just a little older, Mr. and Mrs. Wieser said today. The wading pool will be shallow but will be large enough so that a considerable number of tots can be accommodated. The swimming pool will be divided into two sections, according to plans. One for boys and the other for girls.
Both the wading and the swimming pools will be constructed of concrete. The depth of the water in the latter will be perhaps three feet or whatever depth is believed best for young boys and girls, it was said. The boys' and girls' divisions of the pool will be divided by a beautiful strip of land.
The playground also will include among its equipment swings and similar devices, places for the children to play baseball and tennis and other means for amusement and entertainment. A beautiful entrance way is to be constructed on the nineteenth Street side.

*From reading the above news article, the original intentions regarding this piece of Columbus was vastly different from the way we know it today. In the coming months, it will be interesting to see how it all played out at the time.

Photo by Ricky Berkey