Oak Ridge in Anderson County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
The Swimming Hole
A Recreational Oasis inside the Secret City
| | Manhattan Project National Historical Park | |
Photographed by Dave W, August 19, 2022
1. The Swimming Hole Marker
Before the Manhattan Project, a spring-fed lake known as the "Duck Pond once provided water for horses and cattle along Emory Road, an early route used in the settlement of Middle Tennessee. During World War II, a town sprung up seemingly overnight, complete with shopping centers, movie theaters, bowling alleys, sporting facilities and recreation halls. Residents of the Clinton Engineer Works could escape the summer heat and enjoy their leisure time cooling off across the street from Grove Center.
There is some uncertainty as to when the pool was constructed, although photographic records indicate that the concrete pool was poured in June 1945. This 58,630-square-foot swimming pool holds 2.2 million gallons of water and is reputed as being one of the largest spring fed swimming pools in the United States. In 1992, the pool underwent renovations and the wooden raft island was replaced with a permanent structure, and roughly 400 gallons of paint was used to recoat the pool.
Erected by National Park Service / U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Parks & Recreational Areas • Settlements & Settlers • War, World II. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1945.
Location. 36°
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Regionally, this marker is in East Tennessee and in Greater Knoxville. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Grove Center (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Oak Ridge Municipal Outdoor Swimming Pool (about 500 feet away); Midtown Community Center (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Emery Road (approx. Ό mile away); Middletown Trailer Park (approx. 0.3 miles away); First Integrated Public Schools in the Southeast (approx. 0.3 miles away); International Friendship Bell (approx. 0.3 miles away); Y-12 The Calutron Plant (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oak Ridge.
Photographed by Dave W, August 19, 2022
2. The Swimming Hole Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 1, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. This page has been viewed 457 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 1, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
