Downtown Davenport in Scott County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

The Natatorium

— Davenport Civil Rights History Walking Tour —

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 9, 2022

1. The Natatorium Marker

Inscription. The Natatorium public swimming pool, pictured above, located here from 1922 - 1977, was one of Davenport's public facilities successfully integrated during the Civil Rights Movement. In the later 1950s, members of Davenport's African-American community no longer accepted the whites-only admissions policy. After all, they were taxpayers too. Their protests, with support from the Catholic Interracial Council, led to what city officials considered as a reasonable compromise. The pool opened once a week to Blacks only. The pool would then be drained and refilled before whites would use it. In response to this, Charles and Ann Toney built a swimming pool behind their home at 1010 Western. Blacks could access this pool any day of the week in the long, hot summers. The Natatorium was eventually opened on a non-segregated basis in the late 1960s.

Photos courtesy of Davenport Public Library

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1922.

Location. 41° 31.191′ N, 90° 34.528′ W. Marker is in Davenport,

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Iowa, in Scott County. It is in Downtown Davenport. It can be reached from the intersection of West River Drive (Business U.S. 61) and North Main Street, on the right when traveling east. Marker is near Dillon Fountain. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Riverfront Trail, Davenport IA 52801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Quad Cities

and in Eastern Iowa. It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Dillon Fountain (within shouting distance of this marker); Blackhawk Purchase Treaty Commemorative (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Union Station (about 500 feet away); The LeClaire House Hotel (about 600 feet away); First Chiropractic Adjustment (about 600 feet away); Hose Station No. 1

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 9, 2022

2. The Natatorium Marker

(approx. 0.2 miles away); Petersen Memorial Music Pavilion (approx. 0.2 miles away); Leon “Bix” Beiderbecke (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Davenport.

The Natatorium image. Click for full size.

Hostetler Studio via Upper Mississippi Valley Digital Image Archive (Public Domain), circa 1925

3. The Natatorium

Exterior view of the facility. The Dillon Fountain is on the left.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 4, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 13, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,698 times since then and 281 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 13, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.