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Location DB >
United States >
Indiana >
South Bend >
Natatorium
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Publically Viewable |
This location has been labeled by its creator as Public, and therefore can be viewed by anyone.
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A closed indoor public pool that has been converted into a heritage center.
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Type: Building
Status: Repurposed
Accessibility: Moderate/Difficult
Recommendation: check it out if you're nearby
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Pool(s), locker rooms, ect.
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locked gates wooden boarding
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flashlight breathing mask gloves long pants / sleeves
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Almost 30 years ago, workers drained the pool and locked the doors at South Bend’s Engman Natatorium. Today, the grand Neoclassical building endures demolition by neglect as three decades of vacancy take their toll. Unless citizens and preservationists find a suitable use for “The Nat,” the city will demolish the 1921 landmark. America’s love affair with swimming took off early in the twentieth century, when towns of all sizes sought to promote the health and happiness of citizens bt creating public pools—almost 5,000 years after the ancient Egyptians first enjoyed swimming as a recreational activity. Several factors fueled this pool-building boom. Interest in health and physical fitness was gaining momentum. The modern Olympic Games in 1896, which featured swimming as a competitive event, boosted interest. The success of the first municipal swimming pool, built in Brookline, Mass., in 1887, also attracted notice. And as swimwear became less restrictive and uncomfortable for men and especially for women, growing numbers of people came to see a swim as an enjoyable leisure activity. In the 1920s, private backyard pools skyrocketed in number and thousands of cities around the country built their own public pools. South Bend’s Engman Natatorium was built in the 1100 block of West Washington Street on land donated by a local businessman. The Nat dispensed towels and locker keys in a grand Neoclassical space of columns and white tile. Gleaming walkways led from the locker rooms to foot baths of cold water that swimmers were required to use before jumping into the indoor pool. Large windows of glass brick let in diffused natural light. This beautiful setting witnessed an ugly chapter of American history, however. Like many community pools of its era, the Nat refused to admit African Americans. Only under pressure from African American community leaders did the park board allow black people admittance once a week, soon cut back to once a month, in the 1930s and 1940s. Finally, after lobbying by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in 1950, the Nat could be enjoyed equally by all of South Bend’s citizens. The Nat was extremely popular at the start of its career, with 6,000 people per month jumping in. By 1970, those numbers had dwindled to just 1,000 per month—a fate shared by many community pools hurt by competition from YMCAs, high school aquatic centers, and water theme parks. In 1978, the Nat’s doors closed and it sat unheated and unoccupied, its roof leaking, its masonry walls beginning to bow. Preservationists are searching for a new owner and appropriate reuse, but the unusual building presents special challenges. The city approved the Nat’s demolition in 2000 and the clock is ticking.
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The moderator rating is a neutral rating of the content quality, photography, and coolness of this location.
Category |
Rating |
Photography |
2 / 10 |
Coolness |
2 / 10 |
Content Quality |
6 / 10 |
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This location's validation is current. It was last validated by
Emperor Wang on 10/14/2018 11:18 PM.
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on Oct 14 18 at 23:18, Emperor Wang validated this location on Oct 14 18 at 23:18, Emperor Wang made this location public on Oct 14 18 at 15:53, S&J Explore changed the following: Description, Web Links on Oct 14 18 at 15:52, S&J Explore changed the following: Status on Jul 31 08 at 6:06, SaraBellum validated this location on Aug 20 07 at 20:09, Emperor Wang conditionally validated this location on Feb 27 07 at 4:20, Brian Ohm updated gallery 6-2-05 on Feb 27 07 at 4:20, Brian Ohm created a new gallery on Jun 4 06 at 1:54, Emperor Wang validated this location on May 17 06 at 2:30, nightbird changed the following: Notes for Mods, Latitude, Longitude, Co-ordinate Accuracy
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