The Pool

 Located on the Moore Estate and encompassing the area on the south side of the house is a large c. 1920 in-ground concrete pool (currently not operational) flanked by walks, a patio, a lotus pond, and a rock garden. The North half of the pool is shallow and has multiple sets of stairs leading into the water.  The pool gradually slopes down to the South and West, creating an area of greater depth, better for jumping and diving.  There are several diving landings along the South edge of the pool, as well as a 10 foot tall diving ladder made from the trunk of a tree, which can be removed when not in use.  Ornamenting the south side of the pool stands a miniature lighthouse made of stone. This lighthouse once housed a gnome carrying a lantern and lance.  He was the lighthouse “guard” who traveled ceremoniously around the top platform when the lighthouse was illuminated.  At the West end of the pool is a sloped entrance with water jets shooting down it, creating a water slide.  As one begins their journey down the slide, they pass under a bridge and into the pool, all the while being sprayed with overhead water coming from a water cannon-type mechanism. A diving board with a large spring was situated on the west end of the pool as well. Using his ingenuity and mechanical abilities, W.J. invented a most unique addition to the pool. This was a miniature airplane with a trapeze that would swing him from the second story balcony directly into the swimming pool.  It is the equivalent of today’s ‘zip line’ and was controlled by a massive motorized pulley system that was operated by the push of a button. When W.J. designed his pool, he included a Japanese bridge (soribashi) which still stands and passes over the water slide entrance on the west end of the pool. A Japanese bridge symbolizes traveling and transition from one state to another, or from one ‘world’ to another.  These bridges are thought to have also symbolized the way from the world of humans to the world of nature, to paradise and immortality. From the world of work into the world of play. An escape of sorts, into a simpler world. 

 In the early- and mid- twentieth century, Mr. and Mrs. Moore often had swimming parties and their guests enjoyed the pool immensely (letters were even written about it!).  As it was the only pool in town, locals were invited to enjoy the pool and were simply asked for 10 cents as they entered through the ornate iron gate. In later years, children wanting to swim were often asked to help with simple tasks such as sweeping the porch or raking the leaves in order to gain entrance to the pool for the day.  

One might call this a 1920’s amusement pool as it has many qualities consistent with a modern day water park.