Historical marker unveiled for Oak Ridge outdoor pool

Benjamin Pounds, Oakridger
·2 min read
Officials unveil an Oak Ridge Municipal Outdoor Swimming Pool sign. Pictured are Mayor Pro Tem Rick Chinn, from left, Oak Ridge City Council member and Oak Ridge Heritage Preservation Association Board member Jim Dodson, Historically Speaking columnist D. Ray Smith, Tennessee Rep. John Ragan, R-Oak Ridge, and Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge.
Officials unveil an Oak Ridge Municipal Outdoor Swimming Pool sign. Pictured are Mayor Pro Tem Rick Chinn, from left, Oak Ridge City Council member and Oak Ridge Heritage Preservation Association Board member Jim Dodson, Historically Speaking columnist D. Ray Smith, Tennessee Rep. John Ragan, R-Oak Ridge, and Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge.

During a well-timed break in the rain, officials last Thursday unveiled and dedicated a state of Tennessee historical marker for the Oak Ridge Municipal Outdoor Swimming Pool.

The sign describes the Oak Ridge pool's history.

As explained on the sign, the pool served as a “watering hole” on the historic Emery Road or Tollunteeskee Trail.

The swimming pool opened in 1944 to serve Manhattan Project era Oak Ridge, with the present day spring fed pool completed in June 1945. A grand opening took place July 4 of that year. During those years, the pool — like many other facilities and businesses was open to only white people — but that changed a decade later.

Officials unveiled this state of Tennessee historical marker for the Oak Ridge Municipal Outdoor Swimming Pool May 26, 2022.
Officials unveiled this state of Tennessee historical marker for the Oak Ridge Municipal Outdoor Swimming Pool May 26, 2022.
Pictured is the the entrance to Oak Ridge Outdoor Pool.
Pictured is the the entrance to Oak Ridge Outdoor Pool.

“Desegregated in 1955 the large outdoor pool has remained an oasis over the years for city residents, tourists and patrons from surrounding communities. It is a civic icon and an Oak Ridge landmark remembered fondly by locals as well as a summer destination for families across East Tennessee. It is a civic icon and an Oak Ridge landmark remembered fondly by locals as well as a summer destination for families across East Tennessee. The spacious pool has both a historic past and a potential to contribute to the quality of life in Oak Ridge for many future generations of local families and guests to our city,” the sign states, with the story continuing on its back side.

Speaking at the event were Oak Ridge Mayor Warren Gooch, City Council member and Oak Ridge Heritage Preservation Association member Jim Dodson, state Rep. John Ragan, R-Oak Ridge, Lt. Gov. Randy McNally of Oak Ridge, and Katy Watt, president of Explore Oak Ridge.

Also attending the event were Mayor Pro Tem Rick Chinn and City Council member Ellen Smith.

Oak Ridge Heritage and Preservation Association members also showed up for the unveiling of the new sign. Present were board members Myra Mansfield and Bobbie Martin, along with Karla Mullins, director of the Oak Ridge History Museum; Terry Domm, vice president; Sharon Harris, treasurer; and Mick Wiest, president.

Posing with the new historical marker for the Oak Ridge Municipal Outdoor Swimming Pool are Oak Ridge Heritage and Preservation Association members Myra Mansfield, from left, Karla Mullins, Terry Domm, Jim Dodson, Sharon Harris, Mick Wiest, Bobbie Martin and D. Ray Smith.
Posing with the new historical marker for the Oak Ridge Municipal Outdoor Swimming Pool are Oak Ridge Heritage and Preservation Association members Myra Mansfield, from left, Karla Mullins, Terry Domm, Jim Dodson, Sharon Harris, Mick Wiest, Bobbie Martin and D. Ray Smith.

Ben Pounds is a staff reporter for The Oak Ridger. Call him at (865) 441-2317, follow him on Twitter @Bpoundsjournal and email him at bpounds@oakridger.com.

This article originally appeared on Oakridger: Historical marker unveiled for Oak Ridge outdoor pool