Old Town West in Alexandria, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Memorial Pool
Casualties of Segregation
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, March 15, 2014
1. The Memorial Pool Marker
African Americans in Alexandria suffered, along with other of their race, when a segregated system prevented them from enjoying recreation facilities in their hometown.
From 1926 to 1951, the city had a municipal pool for white residents only. African Americans often swam in the Potomac River or on Hunting Creek for relief on hot summer days. Although the city provided transportation to a swimming pool in Washington, D.C. once a week during this time, this was not enough for some African American youth; walking two or three blocks to the Potomac River or Hunting Creek was too tempting to pass up.
As a result, accidents and drownings were bound to happen, and did. The Charles Houston Recreation Center Pool is named "The Memorial Pool" in honor of African American youth who perished in the Potomac and local creeks during segregation, when they were not permitted to use the city pool.
In 1952, the city opened the Johnson Memorial Pool, named for two brothers who had drowned the year before, for African American residents to use.
Dedicated February 27, 2010
Erected 2010 by City of Alexandria.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights
this page online
Location. 38° 48.765′ N, 77° 2.893′ W. Marker is in Alexandria, Virginia. It is in Old Town West. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Wythe Street and North Patrick Street (U.S. 1), on the right when traveling west. The marker stands in the Old Town West neighborhood of Alexandria. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 901 Wythe Street, Alexandria VA 22314, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Student-Athletes of Parker-Gray High School (a few steps from this marker); The First Parker-Gray School (within shouting distance of this marker); Ramsey Homes (within shouting distance of this marker); Robert Robinson Library 1940 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Alexandria Black History Museum (about 300 feet away); The Civil War & Archaeology of the Block (about 500 feet away); Saint Joseph's Church (about 500 feet away); James Bland Homes (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alexandria.
Also see . . . History of the Johnson Memorial Pool and Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery.
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, March 15, 2014
2. The Memorial Pool Marker
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, March 15, 2014
3. The Memorial Pool
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, April 13, 2014
4. Morris Leroy Johnson
and Lonnie Richard Johnson
and Lonnie Richard Johnson
Morris Leroy Johnson and his brother Lonnie Richard Johnson, ages 9 and 11, were buried in the [Oakland Baptist Church] cemetery next to their father, Morris Johnson. Their deaths precipitated a change in the City of Alexandria a decade before the Civil Rights movement. At that time the only municipal pool was open to white residents only. African Americans had two ways to swim; take a bus (weekly) to a DC pool or go to the Potomac River (Hunting Creek). The brothers, made a “boat” out of cardboard and launched into the Potomac river; both drowned. After this tragic mishap, the City opened the Johnson Memorial Pool...Close-up of photos on "Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery" marker at Fort Ward
Credits. This page was last revised on March 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 15, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,070 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 15, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
