Mr. P. Explores... The Abandoned Carousel Swim Club (Sheffield Village, Ohio)
Вставка
- Опубліковано 19 бер 2019
- "We had joy, we had fun
We had seasons in the sun..."
-Terry Jacks, "Seasons in the Sun" (1973)
Decades ago and many, many summers into the past, local communities all around the Northeast Ohio region spent their hazy, hot afternoons basking in the sun on multi-colored chaise-lounges, sipping on an ice cold Coke in a waxed paper cup, allowing their feet to reach the sky on an old metal swing set and wading languidly in the cool, chlorinated and sparkling waters of a local swimming pool at a private swim club on some side street or country road, the worries of the outside world forgotten for a few hours of solar and aquatic bliss. Private swim clubs were king in the 1960's, 70's and 80's; families paid a lump sum in the late days of spring and enjoyed these magical places for the three months or so of Ohio's hot and often sticky summers, before packing it up and heading back to school for the fall season. It was as close to paradise as a kid or adult lucky enough to have the day off could get. Memory upon memory was made, splashing with friends and neighbors on a scorching July day.
Such a place existed in Sheffield Village in Lorain County, Ohio; the CAROUSEL SWIM CLUB, known for its iconic carousel-shaped and brightly painted main building and its crystal clear waters. Opened in June of 1961, during the era of John F. Kennedy, huge cars with tailfins and beehive hairdos, the Carousel Club served local Lorainites for several decades, offering up a beautiful and rural location to cool off and/or spend time with friends swimming the day away. A snack bar offered up the usual summer faire; hotdogs, hamburgers, mozzarella sticks and cold soft-drinks and lemonade to kids and adults who would amble across the hot cement to take a break from the watery action of the pool (or be forced from the water during rest period by a judicious-looking lifeguard in sunglasses!). Kids played on the kind of playground equipment that adults today would wring their hands over being "too dangerous," with hot metal slides (where many a posterior might get roasted at high noon) and swings without any kind of padding underneath them. Again, a July paradise, far from the rigors of multiplication tables and geography. For many, this was a first job, as a lifeguard scanning the pool for any mischief or teaching swimming lessons, as a pool attendant passing out kickboards and balls, or as a kitchen worker slinging burgers for hungry patrons.
The Carousel Club was that kind of place, and stayed that kind of place for over fifty years until sadly, only recently, when the club was closed and sold. As the days of private clubs dwindled and the owners got older and less inclined to put so much work into a business, retiring with no one left to take over the day to day job, the pool had a final season and then no more. Today, those grand old days of summer fun seem to be at an end. Exploring the club, you could SEE those days still, in the mind's eye and though the weeds were encroaching, the pool was filled with greenish algae-covered pond water and the brightly-colored paint on the buildings has begun to fade in the winter sun, you can still feel the magic and memories that were made here.
We took a tour of the property to see what was there to see. The fate of the pool is up in the air; at one point, it seemed like new ownership had plans to renovate and reopen, but as of March, it is very hard to tell. Much of the fencing around the pool has been stripped out and the place lays open and in various states of disrepair. Hopefully, there are plans to bring this old gem back to its original glory for future generations of families to enjoy the way so many others have.
And by all means, if you have memories to share of your days at the pool, or if you worked there in any capacity, feel free to share your stories of summers' past in the comments below; we'd love to hear them! Enjoy the tour. -Mr. P.
MR. P.’S OTHER SITES TO CHECK OUT!:
The Mr. P. Explores Facebook Community:
/ mrpexplores
Mr. P. Explores Instagram (extras that never make the site or videos, and much more!):
/ mr.p.explores
@mr.p.explores
Mr. P. Explores Twitter Account:
/ exploresmr
The Northeast Ohio Urban Exploration Group:
/ neourbexgroup
Mr. P's Mythopedia:
/ mrpsmythopedia
Mr. P's World History Emporium:
/ mrpsworldhistoryemporium
I still have my membership card from the 60's.
So very sad. Spent many days here in the 60's with friends. Met my future husband at Breezewood next door a few years later!
I went there almost every day since it opened. Spent many summer days swimming with my friends. Now I live on that same street and have seen its demise over the years. Too bad , it was a fun place to be.
Thanks
Awww. I worked there for Marge over 40 years ago. I also worked for Tony Gigano at Breezwood Hall next door to the swim club. Sorry to see the condition it is in.
I grew up in Sheffield Lake. We would go every summer. Wonderful memories. It’s sad to see it today. Time does march on.
Was on the swimming team in 61 when it first opened. Was a Security guard for Marge one year for the Haunted Forest..Marge made incredible money on that Haunted Forest..Marge was like family to me since since a little kid and we went to the same church..
Nice find dude! It was the place to be back in the day. (From the looks of it) just subscribed! ❤️
I was here as a guest as a kid, friends family were members. I would guess late 1980s maybe 1990. As a kid the high dive scared me, I thought it was like the triple lindy from Back to School, lol. I also recall the shuffleboard was the old people and parents hanging out, something for everyone! Had fun times there but well, looks like it is no longer :-(
Good to see nonetheless.
My brothers and I memberships. We would swim there just about every day. We were also on the swim team. It was a huge pool! I still think of this place as one of the best summer memories. So sad to see it has come to this. The owner Marge Brown took excellent care of the place. So sad now.
Very good video and channel :) Like !
Saw the Joe Walsh and James Gang there, 68 or 69 Carousel & Breezewood pool parties. I just about lived at this place every day in the summers of 65 - 70
Aw, I had no idea it closed. Back in the day I used to be so scared of the high dive!
I love curved walls/buildings so much. I wish more buildings had them.
My backyard crosses into this place I used to walk there every summer
Sad to see these old spots closing. I heard the demo'd the old pool at Longfellow Park in Lorain too.
Lol i pass by this place everyday to get to school
That's around a country block from where I live. By the turn of the millennium, it was slowing down. Swam there a couple times.
Nice find Mr P. That's still in somewhat decent condition
@@MrPsWorldHistory I miss places like that. I've been to a few of them back in the 80s but I don't remember the names. I'm gonna be heading up that way in the next couple weeks. I usually travel with my wife
@@MrPsWorldHistory I'm from the Youngstown area. We can definitely do that. You always find the coolest places
hey Mr. P! how open to the public is this one?
@@MrPsWorldHistory perfect! thanks for the reply
Watch the video and look at photos on Google maps!
It's a dump!
China may have bought the land!
I worked there in the summer as a lifeguard
If I'm not mistaking sometimes the woods has a haunted Forest
I think after her daughter was killed in a boating accident, the club was neglected.
In the 60s, my mom had to go there to prove I wasn't black before they let me in!
I tanned well.
WHAT???
It just got torn down today I believe