Forest Park

Original  Entrance to Forest Park
About 1890's
Ottawa Forest Park Entrance
Photo from postcard in private collection of Morgan Williams        
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 Entrance To Forest Park - 2007
Photograph by Cecil Schneider                                                                                                                                                                       .

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Ottawa  Chautauqua Assembly Hall
1907
Ottawa Chautauqua Assembly Hall

Photo from postcard in private collection of Morgan Williams        
Picture of the large Assembly Hall that used to be at Forest Park.  Many large Chautauqua's were held in Forest Park.  This postcard was dated 1907.  Black and white printed postcard.  Undivided back.

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 Forest Park Pool
And Ottawa Beauties
Ottawa Pool Forest Park

Photo by J. B. Muecke
Photo from postcard in private collection of Morgan Williams      
This is quite a diving tower ....Yes, there is a diving tower in the picture.   There are probably none of these type of diving towers left anymore in public pools because of safety.  Interesting swimming suits...even one two-piece one... the photo is not dated......what do you think? Do you recognize any of these ladies....is this the late 40's...early 50's?  If you know any of these striking bathing beauties, please contact the Web Master.
Update on the Ottawa Beauties:
The above photo was identified by Martha (McClay) Graham (OHS Class of '72) when she identified her mother standing on the ladder.  Martha's mother Peggy (McGrath) McCay provided the following details on the photo.  This photo was taken on August 18, 1945 of the Ottawa Fair queen nominees.

Seated on the edge of the pool is Ann (Curby) Rule. Standing above her (left-to-right) are: Dorothy Lou Welty, Martha Dyer and Peggy (McGrath) McClay.  Seated on the diving board above are: (Left-to-right) Natalee Herndon, Carol (Ward) Nauman, Barbara Howell. and standing is Willa Lee (Bond) White.  You could support your nominee by purchasing miniature souvenir Fair programs being sold by “Teen Inc.”  The Class of 44 built the Youth building”, and operated as “Teen Inc.”   The building is now the “Girls Club” at 5th and Locust.

One other interesting fact provided by Martha about her parents:  Her mother Peggy, gave swimming lessons at Forrest park, and her dad (Rod McClay, OHS '44) was a lifeguard at the pool.  During night shows at the pool he dove off the 50' tower into the pool  with a cape on fire!!!!!  

Thanks to Martha (McGrath) Graham and her mother Peggy (McGrath) McCay for this information.
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 Forest Park Pool -- 2007
The high diving tower is long gone.
Photo by Cecil Schneider, September 2007


 Do You Remember The Old Ottawa Swimming Pool?

  Ottawa Herald Article contributed by Jim Corcoran

Caption:  "Ottawa's old swimming pool was a great place to spend a summer's day.  It featured a slide, a merry-go-round, a water wheel and diving boards.  It stoold west of the site of the current pool.

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