MAPLE DEEP: How about a swimming hole known as Maple Deep? This
hole was located on Tuna Creek just above the Harri Emery Airport
in the late ’30s and early ’40s.
Jim Randolph wrote us a little article:
“I remember the Ross farm and swinging bridge that was made out
of rodlines. The bridge was 50 to 60 feet in length and ran from
bank to bank. I don’t remember how deep it was but I remember when
you were done swimming you had to go to the bottom and bring up
some stones so we could make it deeper.
“I can’t ever remember girls up there because us boys didn’t
have swimming suits. Sometimes we would leave our shorts on, I
think.
On the way up to Maple Deep we would stop at the Victory gardens
located across from the airport and help ourselves to some
vegetables if we didn’t see anyone around. Then to the airport to
watch the planes land and take off.
“Some of the guys I remember are the Randolph brothers, Howell
brothers, Butler brothers (Joe from Man’s World), Lechiara brothers
(Father ‘Frank’ Lechiara); Livingston brothers; Shields bothers;
Cyril Emerson; Pat McAndrew, and Joe Bennardi.”
TEN FOOT: Sonny Grill of New Philadelphia, Ohio, sends along a
clarification on the location of Ten Foot swimming hole: “In the
days, we, in the 5th ward, swam there it was across the B&O
railroad tracks that ran along what was then the tie yard. It was
just a stone’s throw from the 5th ward playground. That was the Ten
Foot we knew in the 5th ward. There may have been another one but
our swimming hole was near the tie yard. Hopes this clears it up a
little as it was nice going back with everyone.”
Bill Barton wrote to us via e-mail early in October: “I remember
swimming at BAB in the ’40s. It was a great place to go with your
friends. We were from the Congress Street side. Also gas in
Mckinney, Texas (Dallas area) is 2.12 and falling.”
A QUESTION: We can’t help but wonder if all these great swimming
holes still exist. Seems possible that some were eliminated by the
construction of the Flood Control Project. Then again, maybe kids
don’t swim in creeks anymore.
