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[[Image:Cascade Plunge postcard.jpg|right|thumb|475px|1929 postcard view of the Cascade Plunge entrance]]
[[Image:Cascade Plunge postcard.jpg|right|thumb|475px|1929 postcard view of the Cascade Plunge entrance]]
[[Image:Cascade Plunge pool.jpg|right|thumb|475px|c. 1940s photograph of the swimming pool]]
[[Image:Cascade Plunge pool.jpg|right|thumb|475px|c. 1940s photograph of the swimming pool]]
The '''Cascade Plunge''' was a large swimming pool surrounded by covered grandstands located at 6815 [[2nd Avenue South]] in [[East Lake]]. The privately-owned pool opened about [[1925]]. The pool was fed by a natural spring which "cascaded" from a tiered concrete fountain on the southeast end. The 80-foot by 220-foot swimming pool was, at the time, the largest in the area.
The '''Cascade Plunge and Pavilion''' was a large swimming pool surrounded by covered grandstands located at 6815 [[2nd Avenue South]] in [[East Lake]]. The resort had its own stop on the [[No. 27 Ensley No. 38 South East Lake streetcar line]].


The resort had its own stop on the [[No. 27 Ensley No. 38 South East Lake streetcar line]].
The privately-owned attraction, inspired by the Nashville, Tennessee resort of the same name, was built for the [[Cascade Aquatic Club]] for $175,000 in [[1923]] and managed by the Whittle Brothers, who also operated the Nashville Cascade Plunge at Cumberland Park, the Warner Park resort in Chattanooga, and the Whittle Springs Hotel in Knoxville. The Whittle Brothers indicated during construction of the pool that they were also working to develop a $1 million resort hotel on [[Shades Mountain]] with a golf course and swimming pool.


The '''Cloud Room''' ballroom was located at the back of the pool with a separate entrance. Events ranging from formal dinner dances to call-outs and sock hops were held there. The front entrance was enlarged as a meeting hall for the [[Elks Lodge No. 79]].
The 80 by 220-foot pool was said to be the largest of its kind in the South when it was constructed, able to accommodate 3,000 swimmers at a time, twice as many as its Nashville sibling. Prior to construction it was said that the pool would be filled with municipal water, "completely circulated and sterilized by the ultra violet ray method every 12 hours." Later news reports, quoting [[Jefferson County Health Department|Jefferson County Health Officer]] [[J. D. Dowling]], indicated that the water came from local springs, but was, "purified by filters and chlorinated at regular intervals." In any case, visitors came to associate the marked coolness of the water to its supposed mountain stream source. From the filter room, water was pumped into the pool basin from a tiered concrete fountain on the southeast end. Lifeguards and swim instructors were available at all times. During its first season [[1923]] the Cascade Plunge staged a week of aquatic shows featuring Lottie Mayer and her troupe of diving girls.


In [[1934]] the swimming season began on [[May 19]]. A limited number of season tickets were offered for sale at [[Parisian]] for $2.00 each. In the 1940s, Cascade Plunge offered bathers the option of renting "stylish" swim suits. Admission in [[1941]] was 35 cents for adults and 20 cents for children. In the early 1950s, under the management of owner [[J. H. Dickson]], the park hosted a "Miss Cascade Plunge" beauty contest, with winners going on to compete in the "Miss Dixie Queen of the South" pageant in Daytona Beach, Florida.
The ballroom pavilion was located at the South end of the pool. It housed bathing and dressing areas with 2,000 steel lockers for men and 1,000 private dressing rooms for women, each equipped with showers. The ladies' area featured beauty and make-up counters with hair dryers and beauticians on staff. The men's locker area included a Turkish bath. The ballroom itself, later dubbed the '''Cloud Room''', had a separate entrance. Its 80' x 125' banqueting and dance floor was said to be second only to the [[Boutwell Auditorium|Municipal Auditorium]]. The "rustic" decor was enhanced by large fireplaces at each end of the ballroom.
 
The [[Eddie Miles Orchestra]] performed five evenings a week during the season, and dinner were catered by [[Mary Beard]]. Events ranging from formal dinner dances to call-outs and sock hops were held there. The front entrance was enlarged as a meeting hall for the [[Elks Lodge No. 79]].
 
In [[1934]] the swimming season began on [[May 19]]. A limited number of season tickets were offered for sale at [[Parisian]] for $2.00 each. In the 1940s, Cascade Plunge offered bathers the option of renting "stylish" swim suits. Admission in [[1941]] was 35 cents for adults and 20 cents for children. During [[World War II]] the Cascade Plunge's transit linkage allowed it to prosper where more far-flung resorts suffered due to gasoline rationing. Owner [[James Dickson]] offered free admission to all servicemen and women on Labor Day [[1944]], the last day of the season. The ballroom, under the management of [[Dick Finnell]], continued a second year of "swing shift" dances with [[Dewitt Shaw]]'s orchestra playing on Wednesdays and [[Eddie Stephens]]' band on Saturdays.
 
In the early 1950s, still under Dickson's management, the park hosted a "Miss Cascade Plunge" beauty contest, with winners going on to compete in the "Miss Dixie Queen of the South" pageant in Daytona Beach, Florida.


The pool remained open through the 1970s. An [[Arnold Palmer Putting Course]] was opened in front of the pool building in May [[1972]]. More recently it has been re-engineered as a spring-fed fishing lake and stocked with bream and catfish.
The pool remained open through the 1970s. An [[Arnold Palmer Putting Course]] was opened in front of the pool building in May [[1972]]. More recently it has been re-engineered as a spring-fed fishing lake and stocked with bream and catfish.
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==References==
==References==
* "Palatial Amusement Resort Planned Here; Work Expected to be Completed in Spring." (November 19, 1922) {{BN}}
* Dalrymple, Dolly (June 21, 1923) "Belief in Mermaids May Be Rejuvenated by Seeing Diving Nymphs at Cascade Plunge." {{BN}}
* "Cascade Plunge Purity Praised" (July 19, 1925) {{BN}}
* "Birmingham Cascade Clicks With Dances" (September 30, 1944) ''Billboard'' magazine
* "[http://www.birminghamrewound.com/features/CascadePlunge%20(6-52).jpg Free trip to Daytona— Miss Cascade Plunge beauty contest to begin June 24]" (June 1952) {{BN}} - via [[Birmingham Rewound]]
* "[http://www.birminghamrewound.com/features/CascadePlunge%20(6-52).jpg Free trip to Daytona— Miss Cascade Plunge beauty contest to begin June 24]" (June 1952) {{BN}} - via [[Birmingham Rewound]]
* Archibald, John (June 13, 2006) "Bad day to fish still good for landmark." {{BN}}
* Archibald, John (June 13, 2006) "Bad day to fish still good for landmark." {{BN}}


[[Category:Swimming pools]]
[[Category:Swimming pools]]
[[Category:1925 buildings]]
[[Category:1923 buildings]]
[[Category:1925 establishments]]
[[Category:1923 establishments]]
[[Category:Event spaces]]
[[Category:Event spaces]]
[[Category:2nd Avenue South]]
[[Category:2nd Avenue South]]
[[Category:68th Street South]]
[[Category:68th Street South]]
[[Category:Threatened structures]]
[[Category:Demolitions]]

Revision as of 14:19, 24 November 2019

1929 postcard view of the Cascade Plunge entrance
c. 1940s photograph of the swimming pool

The Cascade Plunge and Pavilion was a large swimming pool surrounded by covered grandstands located at 6815 2nd Avenue South in East Lake. The resort had its own stop on the No. 27 Ensley No. 38 South East Lake streetcar line.

The privately-owned attraction, inspired by the Nashville, Tennessee resort of the same name, was built for the Cascade Aquatic Club for $175,000 in 1923 and managed by the Whittle Brothers, who also operated the Nashville Cascade Plunge at Cumberland Park, the Warner Park resort in Chattanooga, and the Whittle Springs Hotel in Knoxville. The Whittle Brothers indicated during construction of the pool that they were also working to develop a $1 million resort hotel on Shades Mountain with a golf course and swimming pool.

The 80 by 220-foot pool was said to be the largest of its kind in the South when it was constructed, able to accommodate 3,000 swimmers at a time, twice as many as its Nashville sibling. Prior to construction it was said that the pool would be filled with municipal water, "completely circulated and sterilized by the ultra violet ray method every 12 hours." Later news reports, quoting Jefferson County Health Officer J. D. Dowling, indicated that the water came from local springs, but was, "purified by filters and chlorinated at regular intervals." In any case, visitors came to associate the marked coolness of the water to its supposed mountain stream source. From the filter room, water was pumped into the pool basin from a tiered concrete fountain on the southeast end. Lifeguards and swim instructors were available at all times. During its first season 1923 the Cascade Plunge staged a week of aquatic shows featuring Lottie Mayer and her troupe of diving girls.

The ballroom pavilion was located at the South end of the pool. It housed bathing and dressing areas with 2,000 steel lockers for men and 1,000 private dressing rooms for women, each equipped with showers. The ladies' area featured beauty and make-up counters with hair dryers and beauticians on staff. The men's locker area included a Turkish bath. The ballroom itself, later dubbed the Cloud Room, had a separate entrance. Its 80' x 125' banqueting and dance floor was said to be second only to the Municipal Auditorium. The "rustic" decor was enhanced by large fireplaces at each end of the ballroom.

The Eddie Miles Orchestra performed five evenings a week during the season, and dinner were catered by Mary Beard. Events ranging from formal dinner dances to call-outs and sock hops were held there. The front entrance was enlarged as a meeting hall for the Elks Lodge No. 79.

In 1934 the swimming season began on May 19. A limited number of season tickets were offered for sale at Parisian for $2.00 each. In the 1940s, Cascade Plunge offered bathers the option of renting "stylish" swim suits. Admission in 1941 was 35 cents for adults and 20 cents for children. During World War II the Cascade Plunge's transit linkage allowed it to prosper where more far-flung resorts suffered due to gasoline rationing. Owner James Dickson offered free admission to all servicemen and women on Labor Day 1944, the last day of the season. The ballroom, under the management of Dick Finnell, continued a second year of "swing shift" dances with Dewitt Shaw's orchestra playing on Wednesdays and Eddie Stephens' band on Saturdays.

In the early 1950s, still under Dickson's management, the park hosted a "Miss Cascade Plunge" beauty contest, with winners going on to compete in the "Miss Dixie Queen of the South" pageant in Daytona Beach, Florida.

The pool remained open through the 1970s. An Arnold Palmer Putting Course was opened in front of the pool building in May 1972. More recently it has been re-engineered as a spring-fed fishing lake and stocked with bream and catfish.

The property is currently listed for sale at $1.95 million. A group of East Lake residents began a petition asking the city of Birmingham to purchase the property for a proposed Druid Hollow Park. Instead the property was purchased by Habitat for Humanity Greater Birmingham and redeveloped as a 40-home community named Cascade Parc.

References

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