Madison in Jefferson County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Flood of 1937 / Crystal Beach Pool

Streetside History

Flood of 1937 Marker (<i>west side</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 26, 2021

1. Flood of 1937 Marker (west side)

Inscription. Flood of 1937
[west side]Although Madisonians are used to the ups and downs of the river, 1937 marked the year of the worst recorded flood in Ohio River history, enveloping the city below First Street. The high water mark is indicated on the southwest corner of the Brown Gymnasium on Broadway.

Crystal Beach Pool
[east side]The pool was built by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) on the site of the Trow Flour Mill destroyed in the 1937 flood. It opened May 28, 1939, with thousands in attendance to view the shell-shaped pool, sandy beach, water slides and diving boards. Still in use, the pool has undergone little change since its construction.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Disasters • Parks & Recreational Areas • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects series list. A significant historical date for this entry is January 27, 1937.

Location. 38° 44.016′ N, 85° 23.091′ W. Marker is in Madison, Indiana, in Jefferson County. Marker is on West Vaughn Drive east of Elm Street, on the right when traveling east. Marker is located beside the sidewalk along the Madison

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Riverwalk, directly across West Vaughn Drive from the Crystal Beach Pool. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 400 West Vaughn Drive, Madison IN 47250, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Crystal Beach (within shouting distance of this marker); James F. D. Lanier (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Shrewsbury-Windle House (about 800 feet away); Railroad on the Riverfront / Madison's Iron Foundries (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lanier's Legacy (approx. 0.2 miles away); From Pork to Port (approx. 0.2 miles away); Cravens Square (approx. 0.2 miles away); Schofield House (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Madison.

Regarding Flood of 1937 / Crystal Beach Pool. The Crystal Beach Pool contributes to the historic significance of the Madison Historic District, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and designated a National Historic Landmark. National Register of Historic Places #73000020.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Streetside History • Madison, Indiana

Also see . . .
1. Madison, Indiana, January 1937 Flood. The river crested at Madison on January twenty seventh. The flood stage here was 72.3 feet and the river was over flood stage

Crystal Beach Pool Marker (<i>east side</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 26, 2021

2. Crystal Beach Pool Marker (east side)

for 18 days. As the waters receded and the town assessed the damage it was clear that Madison would be forever changed. The businesses along the river were, for the most part, gone or damaged beyond repair. Trow’s Flour Mill, the catsup factory, the old warehouses and many more buildings were never to open their doors again. (Submitted on September 9, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. The Great Flood of 1937. The Ohio River Great Flood of January 1937 surpassed all prior floods during the previous 175 years of modern occupancy of the Ohio River Valley. Seventy percent of Louisville was submerged, forcing 175,000 residents to flee. Ninety percent of Jeffersonville, Indiana was flooded. (Submitted on September 9, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

3. Crystal Beach Pool and Bath House. Madison’s Crystal Beach Swimming Pool and Bath House are two monuments of the WPA’s work in southern Indiana. They showcase the marriage of functionality and artistry seen in many WPA projects. The 20,000 gallon, nine-foot deep pool’s semi-circular shape hugs the bath house and gracefully fits its landscaped surroundings. Renovated in 2004, the pool retains its historic shape and surroundings and is still a popular place to swim. (Submitted on September 9, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Maker detail: Flood of 1937 image. Click for full size.

3. Maker detail: Flood of 1937

Marker detail: Crystal Beach Pool image. Click for full size.

4. Marker detail: Crystal Beach Pool

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 26, 2021

5. Flood of 1937 Marker (west side)

(looking east along Madison Riverwalk • Ohio River on the right)

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 26, 2021

6. Crystal Beach Pool Marker (east side)

(looking northwest across West Vaughn Drive • Crystal Beach Pool in background)

Crystal Beach Pool & Bath House image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 26, 2021

7. Crystal Beach Pool & Bath House

Credits. This page was last revised on September 9, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 8, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 621 times since then and 91 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 8, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on September 9, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.