[LUconn]

Ever wonder what this area was at Riverside Park?



Here's a pretty interesting story about what it was.

http://www.gameslifeandstuff.com/2007/0 ... inder.html




I'm surprised that it's still in the shape that it's in today with no marker of explanation. You'd think they'd either put up some kind of monument/plaque, or just knock over the walls and make the ground level and forget it ever happened.

[adam42381]

Stupid filter here at work block anything considered a blog, which I guess this is...Copy/Paste?

[Sly Fox]

I know 1961 seems like several centuries ago to some of you, but it was not really that long ago. Things have come a long way in the past 47 years.

[jcmanson]

I know 1961 seems like several centuries ago to some of you, but it was not really that long ago.

Easy to say that coming from someone that was born before then.

[Sly Fox]

Easy now, I am not THAT old.

[LUconn]

Stupid filter here at work block anything considered a blog, which I guess this is...Copy/Paste?

sure. it's not like a real publication or anthing.

Last December, I visited my family in Lynchburg, Virginia for Christmas. Thanks to the warm weather we got to spend time outdoors exploring the city. At a nearby park in the historical district, I was introduced to this:



It kind of looks like a bare garden now, but what it used to be is a swimming pool. My stepfather told me that sometime during desegregation, the city filled in the pool with concrete to prevent blacks (and presumably any other non-whites) from using it.

To say that such a situation seems unreal is an understatement. I contacted the Legacy Museum of African American History in Lynchburg for more information, and this is what the museum's administrator Cheryl R. Stallings had to say:


"This information is correct.

Early in the afternoon on Independence Day, July 4, 1961, a black gentleman named Olivet C. Thaxton, with six young boys, came to the segregated Miller Park swimming pool and attempted to purchase tickets for entrance into the dressing room. It is said that the City Manager, Recreation Department Supervisor, and the Chief of Police were present, because they had been forwarned. Also, additional law enforcement was present. Mr. Thaxton was told at this time that all city pools, the white Miller Park and Riverside Park pools and the black Jefferson Park pool would be closed if the group entered. Mr. Thaxton insisted that he be let in. The pools were closed, and soon after filled in. I beleive that Miller Park pool did not open until 1986.

There are two great books that you can purchased (1) Lynchburg: A City Set On Seven Hills by Clifton & Dorothy Potter; (2) Lynchburg, Virginia: The First Two Hundred Years 1786-1986 by James M. Elson."


What surprises me, besides the fact that the pools were filled in at all, is that in this park with several sites of interest there isn't a single plaque to inform visitors of the important history that they might just be walking on.

More photos:

And if you can't see the picture up top that I posted (because it's blocked) to know what area this is we're talking about, he's got them on flickr too.

[adam42381]

Thanks for posting that for me. I knew it was a pool but had no idea what kind of history it had. They should really put something up to let people know. Maybe the city is embarrassed?

[adam42381]

It's sad to think about but I would almost guarantee that Jerry was a vocal supporter of the pools closing back then. He was a staunch segregationist in the 60's until finally changing his tune later in life.

[Cider Jim]

Fumble and I were both born that year--1961--and we are both old as dirt. Seriously, I used that pool story in class this week when I was teaching the Harlem Renaissance poets because Anne Spencer is a Lynchburg native; I also tell the pool story in Freshman Seminar--and it needs repeating.

[ALUmnus]

It's sad to think about but I would almost guarantee that Jerry was a vocal supporter of the pools closing back then. He was a staunch segregationist in the 60's until finally changing his tune later in life.

Why would you post this without really knowing?

[Cider Jim]

My pastor at Rivermont has stated that one of his goals is to see that pool unearthed and reopened.

[LUconn]

Cider, any idea as to why there's no marker or anything explaining what it is?

[Cider Jim]

My guess is shame or embarrassment on the part of the city fathers.

[adam42381]

It's sad to think about but I would almost guarantee that Jerry was a vocal supporter of the pools closing back then. He was a staunch segregationist in the 60's until finally changing his tune later in life.

Why would you post this without really knowing?

I was just saying that because of Jerry's past as a segregationist in the 1960s. He was very much against integration as were most southern baptists at the time. I wasn't being critical. He came out strongly against those beliefs later in his ministry. It's not a stretch to say what I said. I don't know for a fact that he supported it but it was in line with his beliefs at the time. America has come a long way but still has a long way to go, especially here in the South.

[matshark]

I for one would at least like to see a plaque made because it is a historical site.

I don't know that it would be feasible to re-open the pool. Miller Park is already rather large, however, a plaque is something that I think should be put up in rememberance of this gentleman and his refusal to back down. KUDOS to him.

[LUconn]

Does anybody here believe that this was not in anyway stirred up by this thread?

http://www.newsadvance.com/lna/news/loc ... iled/6146/

The recommended improvements include:

- Preservation and historical commemoration of the park’s former all-white pool, which was filled in by the city when pressure to desegregate began to mount.

I mean come on! You don't have to pay me to run this city. Just cite your sources and don't pretend like it was your idea.

[Hold My Own]

LUconn....think our treasure is in there somewhere???


I think we could have a busy weekend...

[LUconn]

That pool was probably made after he buried the treasure. By about 150 years or so. But it does meet the description.

[ATrain]

Are y'all talking about the Beale treasure?

[LUconn]

yes. But that is secondary to the fact that Lynchburg is blatently ripping off my ideas and not giving me any credit.

[Hold My Own]

What was your idea??? To fill in a pool???

[LUconn]

I'm surprised that it's still in the shape that it's in today with no marker of explanation. You'd think they'd either put up some kind of monument/plaque, or just knock over the walls and make the ground level and forget it ever happened.

The recommended improvements include:

- Preservation and historical commemoration of the park’s former all-white pool, which was filled in by the city when pressure to desegregate began to mount.

[Fumblerooskies]

I'm surprised that it's still in the shape that it's in today with no marker of explanation. You'd think they'd either put up some kind of monument/plaque, or just knock over the walls and make the ground level and forget it ever happened.

The recommended improvements include:

- Preservation and historical commemoration of the park’s former all-white pool, which was filled in by the city when pressure to desegregate began to mount.

LUconn...you know we are watched...for both ideas and breaking news.

[Hold My Own]

A man pressured the city VIA a message board his name is LUconn and his avaitor is a child's mouth eating himself



that doesnt appear to be very creditable

[LUconn]

A man pressured the city VIA a message board his name is LUconn and his avaitor is a child's mouth eating himself



that doesnt appear to be very creditable

so after 40 years of it sitting there, the counsil just had an epiphany coincidentally right after I find out what it is and suggest it on a public messageboard? I think it's pretty obvious from this, the eagle statue, and flame throwers at football games, you can take my ideas to the bank. I say things and people make it so.