Maywood Beach facts for kids

Maywood Beach was a popular water park that used to be in Olive Branch, Mississippi. This town is very close to Memphis, Tennessee, just across the state line. It was known as "The Beach within Reach" for many years.

The Story of Maywood Beach

How It All Started

A couple named Maurice and May Woodson opened Maywood Beach. This happened on July 4, 1931. The Woodsons lived in Memphis. They wanted a quieter life away from the city. Maurice Woodson had a job working with cotton. His doctor told him to take a break for his health. So, in the late 1920s, they bought a big piece of land. It was about 400 acres (1.6 km²) in DeSoto County, Mississippi.

Building the Beach

This land had a natural lake fed by springs. The Woodsons used mules to make the lake bigger. They lined the bottom with hundreds of tons of white sand. This sand came all the way from Destin, Florida! Then, they filled the lake with cold, clear water. This water came from an underground source. It also fed two other lakes on their property.

Lake Shahkoka and Maywood Pool

They first called the main lake Lake Shahkoka. This name honored a Chickasaw Indian who once lived on the land. Soon, the area had many fun things to do. There were picnic tables, barbecue spots, and covered areas called pavilions. They also added a bowling alley and a mini golf course. Kids could play on playgrounds. There was even a snack bar and a tearoom. The swimming area was later renamed Maywood Pool, after May Woodson. The Woodsons also sold homes around their property.

New Management and Fun Times

In 1949, Jesse Spiceland started managing Maywood Swimming Pool. He bought the business from the Woodsons in 1956. Mr. Spiceland ran Maywood for many years. He sold it in 1987.

The pool was a huge hit! People from Memphis came from May to September. It was like a beach for those who wished for the ocean. Many events happened there. They filmed TV commercials for Coppertone sunscreen. Beauty queens took publicity photos. Weddings, baptisms, and church picnics were common. Even parachutists jumped there! Class reunions and company parties also took place.

There was a special pavilion on site. It was a popular place for dancing since the 1930s. Famous musicians played there early in their careers. These included Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Johnny Cash.

For over 50 years, Maywood stayed mostly the same. It was called a "Swimming beach." It wasn't called a "Water park" until the 1990s. Over time, water slides were added. But the clear lake always stayed spring-fed. You could even see your feet when standing in five feet of water!

Why Maywood Beach Closed

The news that Maywood was closing was a surprise. The owner at the time, Hugh Armistead, announced it. He told The Commercial Appeal newspaper that higher insurance costs were the reason. The park closed in July 2003. The lake and the land around it were later turned into a private neighborhood.