Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
SIEGEL'S NATATORIUM
SIEGEL'S NATATORIUM. Established in July 1910 by A. Siegel, the natatorium was a walled structure with no roof that floated near the mouth of the ICE HARBOR. It featured a chute which swimmers could use to slide quickly into the water and a diving board. Unique to the structure was a "basket bottom" that could be raised or lowered to adjust the depth of the water. Attendants were constantly on hand to make this change. (1)
By 1913 the popularity of the site was shown by the fact that several times people had to be turned away or wait for hours for others to leave before they could enter. New features were offered in 1913. Construction was modified so that river water could flow through the swimming area providing "fresh water." The chutes were covered with sheets of copper, a feature of similar natatoriums of Coney Island in New York City. The swimming school at the Dubuque natatorium boasted that in three years of operation there had not been a single accident. (2)
The 1913 Dubuque and Dubuque County Directory stated that this was located at the foot of 3rd.
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Source:
1. "Most Popular Place in Dubuque-"Come On In--The Water's Fine," Telegraph Herald, Part II, July 10, 1910, p. 1
2. "Siegel Natatorium Popular," Dubuque Telegraph-Herald, June 22, 1913, p. 7