Rock Lake Pool
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Rock Lake Pool was an outdoor swimming pool located in South Charleston, West Virginia operating from 1942 to 1985.[1] Being 550 feet (170 m) long, it was billed as "the largest and most beautiful pool in the East."[1] The pool was built in an old rock quarry in the 1930s[2] and opened by Joe, David, and Sam Wilan in 1942.[3] The pool was enclosed by tall natural rock walls that provided high dives. The pool was very popular in both West Virginia and neighboring states[4] and on one occasion, even drew a crowd of around 4,000 swimmers in one day.[4] After a long decline, the historic pool eventually closed in 1985 due to increased insurance cost[5] and competition from other pools.[1] The site is now owned by Rock Lake Presbyterian Church.[1]
- Length: 500 ft.
A aerial view of Rock Lake Pool from June 6, 1949. | |
 Interactive map of Rock Lake Pool | |
| Location | 25303, 25309 |
|---|---|
| Owner | Joe, David, and Sam Wilan |
| Operator | Joe, David, and Sam Wilan |
Dimensions |
|
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1942 |
| Closed | 1985 |
The pool was surrounded by rock walls which were used as natural high dives.[6] It also included things such as a 50-foot slide, water trampoline, spraying fountain, trapeze and miniature churning sternwheel.
The Wilan brothers, who owned the pool, forbade blacks from swimming there.[6][7] During the 1960s, West Virginian civil rights leader Bernard Hawkins led protests against the segregated Rock Lake Pool.[8]
Soon after its initial closing, Rock Lake Pool re-opened as Rock Lake Golf and Games. The old pool house had been transformed into a restaurant and indoor arcade. The front entrance and parking lot had been changed into a go-cart track. In the rock quarry where the old pool was located, it was partially filled in to build a mini golf course. In the remaining swimming pool area, a sectioned off area allowed for bumper boats. Rock Lake Golf and Games eventually closed in 2006.[3]
The area was purchased by the Rock Lake Presbyterian Church in 2006 for $440,000.[9] In 2008, The remainder of the pool was filled in to create a playground.[10] The final demise of the pool brought a variety of emotions from residents who remembered it either with memories of fun days playing there or as a place they were denied access to.[11]