January 28, 2011

Capaha Park Swimming Pool

The swimming pool at Capaha Park opened in 1957. It will not reopen in 2011. The pool replaced the original oval pool just south of it. Here are some historical photographs of both swimming pools.

Southeast Missourian archive

Published Thursday, Aug. 15, 1957 What form! City Commissioner Weldon "Brownie" McBride executed this fine jackknife dive Wednesday night as the Municipal Swimming pool was dedicated, and on either side divers took off from the low boards. At the left is Mrs. E.L. Bahn Jr. and at the right Common Pleas Judge Robert G. Brady. A large crowd attnded dedication ceremonies for the new $150,000 pool. (Missourian archives photo by G.D. "Frony" Fronabarger)

Southeast Missourian Aug. 16, 1957 The first day for the new swimming pool at Capaha Park really brought 'em out as the picture indicates. Without a pool of any kind for a year and with only a tiny, old one for many years, swimmers found the new one just what they expected. Receipts indicated an opening day patronage of more than 1000 persons. (Photo by G.D. Fronabarger)

Numerous youngsters enjoyed a cooling dip on a hot summer day at the Capaha Park swimming pool in the early 1950s. (Missourian archives photo by G.D. "Frony" Fronabarger)

Published Tuesday, June 13, 1961 Cape Girardeau youngsters are showing great interest in the junior life saving courses now being conducted at Municipal Swimming Pool. Here, one group is given instruction in the chin pull, a method whereby a swimmer overcome in the water may be rescued without further danger to themselves and without jeopardizing the safety of the rescuer. Giving instruction is Richard Flentge, director of the course, and Mrs. Helen Shambo, an instructor. Youngsters from the left, in front are Wayne Stickler, David Roschke, Richard Seabaugh, Nancy Stone, Karen Deck and Merrill Lewis, and in front are Tony Spitzmiller, Joe Snell, Bob Taylor, Vicky Meyers, Marian Lowes and Darrell Lewis. (Missourian archives photo by G.D. "Frony" Fronabarger)

Youngsters waited in line to dive off the high and low boards into the Capaha Park pool in about 1957. (Missourian archives photo by G.D. "Frony" Fronabarger)

Swimmers waved at the photographer in this early 1950s picture taken at the Capaha Park swimming pool. The white building in the background was the bathhouse. The frame structure was built about a year after the old Community Center at the park burned on Feb. 11, 1937. The bathhouse was razed in 1956 to make way for a new municipal swimming pool. (Missourian archives photo by G.D. "Frony" Fronabarger)

Published Aug. 15, 1957 This striking night scene of the new Cape Girardeau swimming pool was taken during the dedication exercises Wednesday night. Note the wading pool in the foreground with its fountain spray that should delight the small tots. Some idea of the size and facilities of the pool, which was opened for use today, can be gained from the picture made by The Missourian's photographer, G.D. Fronabarger. (Missourian archives)

Children splashed in the Capaha Park swimming pool in the early 1950s. (Missourian archives photo by G.D. "Frony" Fronabarger)

Southeast Missourian Aug. 20, 1957 Learning to swim, this group of 54 boys and girls are members of the first swimming class sponsored by the Kiwanis Club and they are shown Monday as they began receiving instruction from Clark Poppell, a member of the club and Red Cross instructor.

Southeast Missourian Aug. 6, 1958 The approach to swimming. Wives of members of the Junior Chamber of Commerce have pooled their efforts to teach the younger children, from 4 to 7 years, the basic fundamentals of learning to swim. This class is one of the three taking the summer course. Youngsters, from the left, are Mark and Michael Bodine, Barbara Unterreiner, Janice Hill, Wayne Unterreiner, Paul and Margaret Tlapek, Tara and Dana Kaiser, Christy Hill, William and Taylor Bahn, Mary K. Hill, Johnny Flynn and Terri Taylor. Standing, some of the mothers whose children are in the class are Mrs. Hartford E. Hill, Mrs. Larry Bahn, Mrs. G.L. Kaiser, instructor, Mrs. Harry Rust, Mrs. Gerald Flynn and Mrs. Beryl Taylor.

G.D. Fronabarger took this picture of Cape Girardeau's first municipal swimming pool during the early 1950s. It was replaced by a larger pool nearby that opened in 1957. The photo is looking to the south with Broadway in the background. The oval pool opened July 4, 1919. An excerpt from a story on the pool opening published in the Southeast Missourian July 5, 1919 is available here: http://www.semissourian.com/blogs/flynch/entry/35301

Photographer G.D. Fronabarger got lots of attention from the swimmers at the oval pool in Cape Girardeau. Note the bath house in the background on the north side of the pool. The date is unknown but may have been in the early 1950s.

Published Friday, Aug. 16, 1957 This picture indicates just how popular the wading pool at the new municipal facility will be with the younger children. The first day for the pool attracted dozens of the tiny tots and mothers who watched over them. (Missourian archives photo by G.D. "Frony" Fronabarger)

Published July 26, 1946 A tall slide added to the hot-weather fun of the oval pool at Fairground Park. It was later named Capaha Park. (Missourian archives photo by G.D. "Frony" Fronabarger)

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The swimming pool at Capaha Park opened in 1957. It will not reopen in 2011. The pool replaced the original oval pool just south of it. Here are some historical photographs of both swimming pools.

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