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July 2018
Around The U

History Lessons: A Pool Resource

Back in the day, students escaping the heat—or just looking for some aquatic recreation—went to the Union.
By Gregory Lucas-Myers, ’10

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Read time: < 1 minute
All images courtesy of the Bentley Historical Library.

In the midst of an Independence Day heat wave earlier this month, many sought out swimming pools for relief. Back in the day, students escaping the heat—or just looking for some aquatic recreation—needed to go no farther than the basement of the Michigan Union. From 1925 to 1966, students flocked to South State Street to wade into its waters, as seen in this gallery.

The University dedicated the pool on Jan. 15, 1926, in a swimming meet against Wisconsin—seven years after the Union officially opened. Although planned as part of the building from the beginning, the pool remained incomplete for a time due to lack of funding.
The University dedicated the pool on Jan. 15, 1926, in a swimming meet against Wisconsin—seven years after the Union officially opened. Although planned as part of the building from the beginning, the pool remained incomplete for a time due to lack of funding.
Even though women couldn’t enter the Union until 1956, they did enjoy access to the pool (as long as they had a male escort into the building). Seen here are female students circa 1925.
Even though women couldn’t enter the Union until 1956, they did enjoy access to the pool (as long as they had a male escort into the building). Seen here are female students circa 1925.
The pool was a convenient facility for both physical education …
The pool was a convenient facility for both physical education …
… and recreation. What good is a second floor above the water if you can’t dive from it?
… and recreation. What good is a second floor above the water if you can’t dive from it?
Because the pool closed in 1966, serene images such as this can only be found in photos. Later students would know the space only as a food court and bookstore.
Because the pool closed in 1966, serene images such as this can only be found in photos. Later students would know the space only as a food court and bookstore.

Gregory Lucas-Myers, ’10, is assistant editor of Michigan Alumnus.

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