Druid Hill Park in Baltimore, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

"…And Oh, We Had Fun"

Great Memories under Difficult Times

— Druid Hill Park —

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 10, 2022

1. Great Memories under Difficult Times Marker

Inscription.

"…And Oh, We Had Fun". Great Memories under Difficult Times. , For over four decades in the early twentieth century, Druid Hill Park functioned under a policy of racial segregation. The park was heavily used during these years and African-American park users have vivid memories of the tennis courts, playgrounds, picnic areas and especially "Pool Number Two.", As the only outdoor public swimming facility in the City of Baltimore open to black athletes, Pool Number Two served as a training ground for some of the finest competitive swimmers of the era. The lifeguards and young athletes, both men and women, who trained here during summer mornings were compelling role models for the little boys and girls who played under their careful watch when the pool opened to the public at midday. Cornelius "Nick" Johnson recalls, "In the early '40s I saw Gilbert Brown as a lifeguard at the Druid Hill Park pool. I wanted to be like him and grew up to become a lifeguard.", [Captions:] ,

"Despite the fact that we experienced segregation and racism, we still thrived and survived to become honorable citizens of this community. And with even today's subtle racism, we are still trying to impart strong values to our Youngsters by giving incentives through this memorial to keep the faith." , Elaine W. Brown , third from left above, "As a little boy I followed the big boys of the neighborhood. They went to the pool. They made us behave. They kept us safe in the shallow water. They loved us." , Martin H. Cruise, Sr., A Proclamation: "At this location committed Managers, Head Guards, Lifeguards, Water Safety Instructors and Attendants worked under difficult conditions to maintain an environment conducive to wholesome recreation. This commitment was manifested in an unusually high level of safety and health, a level second to none in Baltimore and the Nation for an aquatic facility of this type." , Douglas Fairbanks Bishop , Lifeguard, Pool Number Two , 1949 to 1950

, Corrine "Dimples" Boyd, who as a teenager broke racial and gender boundaries with her swimming records in the 1940s.

For over four decades in the early twentieth century, Druid Hill Park functioned under a policy of racial segregation. The park was heavily used during these years and African-American park users have vivid memories of the tennis courts, playgrounds, picnic areas and especially "Pool Number Two."

As the only outdoor public swimming facility in the City of Baltimore open to black athletes, Pool Number Two served as a training ground for some of the finest competitive swimmers of the era. The lifeguards and young athletes, both men and women, who trained here during summer mornings were compelling role models for the little boys and girls who played under their careful watch when the pool opened to the public at midday. Cornelius "Nick" Johnson recalls, "In the early '40s I saw Gilbert Brown as a lifeguard at the Druid Hill Park pool. I wanted to be like him and grew up to become a lifeguard."

[Captions:]

"Despite the fact that we experienced segregation and racism, we still thrived and survived to become honorable citizens of this community. And with even today's subtle racism, we are still trying to impart strong values to our Youngsters by giving incentives through this memorial to keep the faith."
Elaine W. Brown
third from left above

"As a little boy I followed
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the big boys of the neighborhood. They went to the pool. They made us behave. They kept us safe in the shallow water. They loved us."
Martin H. Cruise, Sr.

A Proclamation: "At this location committed Managers, Head Guards, Lifeguards, Water Safety Instructors and Attendants worked under difficult conditions to maintain an environment conducive to wholesome recreation. This commitment was manifested in an unusually high level of safety and health—a level second to none in Baltimore and the Nation for an aquatic facility of this type."
Douglas Fairbanks Bishop
Lifeguard, Pool Number Two
1949 to 1950

*Corrine "Dimples" Boyd, who as a teenager broke racial and gender boundaries with her swimming records in the 1940s.

Erected by Baltimore City Recreation & Parks.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Parks & Recreational Areas • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1949.

Location. 39° 19.361′ N, 76° 38.358′ W. Marker is in Baltimore, Maryland. It is in Druid Hill Park. Marker is on Shop Road just south of Commissary Road, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3101 Shop Rd, Baltimore MD 21217, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance

"…And Oh, We Had Fun" Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 10, 2022

2. "…And Oh, We Had Fun" Marker

of this marker. American Tennis Association, Inc. (within shouting distance of this marker); A Sense of Sanctuary (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Family Matters (about 600 feet away); An Innovative Partnership (approx. 0.2 miles away); African Savannah Elephant (approx. 0.2 miles away); Living with Elephants (approx. 0.2 miles away); Saving Okapi (approx. 0.2 miles away); Tipping the Balance (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Baltimore.

Pool Number Two, now filled in image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 10, 2022

3. Pool Number Two, now filled in

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 11, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 54 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 11, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.