WILLOW LAKE

Back in the early 60’s, while I was still in High School, I was told about a place named Willow Lake that was up North of here in Schuylkill Haven.  This was about all I knew, so I had forgotten about it until one day last week when the Wife and I got into having a conversation about the Lake.

Eileen was born & raised in Minersville, a small Coal Mining town, that was not too far away.  Since she was in HS about the same time as me, she told me about this place that she & her friends went to a few times.  Willow Lake was a swimming pool where a whole lot of local people & teenagers went to swim, dance, and have a good time.  Every Saturday night a Band named The Jordon Brothers, played here.  Music from the 60’s were their specialty.  Everyone loved them.  The Lake not only had swimming & dancing, but it also had a Stand for Hot Dogs, FF, Hambergers, Soda,  and Candy for everyone.  Since, I was never able to go there, I had no idea about it except for what is told to me.

Now, let’s Fast Forward, to Present Time.

This is a Image of Willow Lake from the 60’s.  It’s not my Image, because it does not exist any more.  Over the passing years, Willow Lake started to go down-hill for a reason that I don’t know.  Why this very popular place went under is anyone’s guess.  Over time, it just sat there, empty.  No one used it.  So the Owner decided to cover it over with dirt & back fill.  Now, very little remains unless you know where it was.  So, in our conversation, Eileen told me about where it used to be and it got me interested to see this once popular place from the past.

Ok, so I grabbed my camera gear, and went to the place she told me about.  It turned out that it was not as easy to find as I thought it would be.  More than 50 yrs. have passed since the place existed.  I had a heck of a time finding what was left.  I drove up to the location 2 times, but could find nothing!  Frustrated me!  So, I was determined to see this, so I went up for the 3rd time, looking around all over!  Finially, I found it with the help of some local people.

Ah, yes.  Welcome to what used to be Willow Lake.  My trustee steed sit’s on History from the past.  Like I was told.  There’s not much here anymore.  Just a bunch of trees, grass, and scrub where a Pool used to be.

What remains of the ole’ Bath House.

The Door to the Mens Bathroom was open, so I took a look.

Wash your hands?  The color of the Walls still remain.

The Girls Bathroom is a mess!

Here you can still see the black top.  Look at the other Image and you can see what it was used for.

The outer edges of the Pool are still here.  The Blue color is ice from the cold.

A closer look.

It has been more than 50 yrs. since this Pool was used.  Now, it has faded into History, like many other places.  While walking around here, I felt a total saddness for this place.  At one time it was full of people enjoying themselves on a warm summer day.  Now, there is nothing but a memory.  What a shame.

 

Thank you.

Les