J.H. Moores Memorial Natatorium facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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J.H. Moores Memorial Natatorium
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| Location | 2700 Moores River Dr., Lansing, Michigan |
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| Area | 1.8 acres (0.73 ha) |
| Built | 1923 |
| Architect | Wesley Bintz |
| NRHP reference No. | 85000096 |
| Added to NRHP | January 14, 1985 |
The J.H. Moores Memorial Natatorium, also known as the Moores Park Pool, is a special building in Lansing, Michigan, that holds a swimming pool. You can find it at 2700 Moores River Drive. This historic building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. The pool at Moores Park was the very first example of a unique design called the "Bintz Pool." This type of pool is oval-shaped and built completely above the ground, which made it perfect for cities.
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Discovering the History of Moores Park Pool
Who Was J. Henry Moores?
J. Henry Moores arrived in Lansing in 1865. He became one of the wealthiest people in the city through his various businesses. Mr. Moores used a lot of his money to create public parks for Lansing. One of these parks was Moores Park, which he gave to the city in 1908.
Designing a Unique Pool
In the early 1920s, a talented engineer named Wesley Bintz started working for Lansing's city engineer's office. He had just graduated from the University of Michigan in 1918. By 1922, Bintz became the City Engineer. In this important role, he designed the J.H. Moores Memorial Natatorium. The pool was built in 1923.
Later that same year, Bintz left his job with the city. He then started a career focused entirely on designing swimming pools. The Moores Park Pool was his first big project and became the model for many other "Bintz Pools" across the country.
A Pool That Lasts
The J.H. Moores Memorial Natatorium has been open for swimming almost every season since it was built. The only time it closed was for renovations in 1980. It might even be the oldest city-owned pool in the United States that has been used continuously!
Exploring the Moores Park Natatorium
What Does the Pool Look Like?
The Moores Park Natatorium is shaped like an oval. It is built above the ground using strong reinforced concrete. The outside walls are covered with rough, natural stones.
You enter the building through two sets of metal doors. Next to the doors, there are special plaques. One plaque says "DESIGN SUPERVISED BY W. BINTZ, CITY ENGINEER, SWIMMING POOL DESIGNS, 1922." The other says "J.H. MOORES MEMORIAL NATATORIUM. A.D. 1922."
Decorative stone walls stick out on each side of the entrance. Some of the original window openings have been filled in over time. Along the very top of the building, there's a concrete railing with lamp posts placed regularly.
Inside the Natatorium
The inside of the building has two main levels. The upper level is the deck that goes all around the swimming pool. This deck is about 15 feet wide. At one end of the pool, there are bleachers built into the natural hillside, where people can sit and watch.
The lower level is the space underneath the pool deck. This area includes changing rooms for both men and women. There is also an office, a storage room, and rooms for the staff who work at the pool.
