The Swimming Pool
After many years of rumors,
Pacolet Mills finally got the Anderson Pool, in May,
1953. It was a big hit from the very beginning with
all the young people. The pool was located in the
level area behind the cloth room that still exists.
See more photos of activities at the Swimming Pool. Don Camby
has provided the following information about the pool.
It was named for the late D.W. Anderson, President
& Treasurer of Pacolet Mills (1933-1946).
It opened on May 21, 1953.
It was designed & built by the Southland Pool
& Engineering Co. of Atlanta, GA.
Pool description:
Was bell-shaped, 4,500 square feet.
Was 90 feet by 80 feet.
Had depth: 3 feet to 10 feet.
Contained 165,000 gallons of water filtered through 3
filters (complete every 8 hours).
Had (5) underwater lights each 1,000 watts in size .
The wading pool was fan-shaped, 8 inches to 16
inches deep.
It was operated under the direction of the Pacolet
Mills Athletic Association.
For one period, the Director & Senior Lifeguard
was Bill Walker and the Lifeguards were Buford “Butch”
Trent, Don Wells, Mary Ann Wells, Sarah Hughes and
Marguerite Holmes.
Over time, there were different directors and
lifeguards.
Typical admission: adults 25 cents; children 15 cents.
Bulk rates were 30 admissions: $6.00 adults; $2.70
children
The pool was big news in Pacolet. The following
articles about the pool were in the Spartanburg
Herald-Journal.
Article from Feb. 21, 1953
Article from May 21, 1953
Today, there is not a trace of
the former swimming pool. Where the pool used to
be is covered in trees. The site of the pool as it
appears today is shown below.
This web site has
been started as a public service to share the story of
Pacolet.
See more information about my Pacolet connection at Gerald Teaster.