West Liberty History 1838-1938

Source: One Hundred Years of History
* Commemorating a Century of Progress in the West Liberty Community * WEST LIBERTY, IOWA
KIMBERLY MEMORIAL POOL and MARY KIMBERLY PARK

Kimberly Memorial swimming pool was formerly dedicated Thursday evening, June 24, 1930. Dr. J. A. Saathoff of the Presbyterian church representing the Kimberly family, presented the pool to the town of West Liberty and the people of this community, and Robert Brooke accepted the gift on behalf of West Liberty. Following the dedicatory ceremony at which Mayor Walter Mackey presided, the junior band of the high school presented a concert. Lant Kimberly, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wilson Kimberly, had the privilege of being the first person to enter the water.

The pool, considered one of the finest in the state, was made possible for West Liberty by a gift in 1929 of $13,500, from the late P.L. Kimberly trust fund, obtained through the efforts of Mrs. Mary kimberly and her family.

The pool, which is 155 feet long by 80 feet wide, including the wading area for small children, will easily accomodate about 300 persons at one time. On big days as many as 500 have been in the pool during the afternoon and evening.

Operation and management of the pool are vested in the city council and the supervision is in charge of C. J. Mackey, city manager. Expenses and maintenance of the pool have amounted to approximately $1,500 each year since its completion. Although the pool charges admission it is operated to meet expenses and not for profit.

Mrs. Mary Brandt, third grade teacher, served as the first matron of the swimming pool and Maurice Ditmon of Muscatine, the first life guard, assisted by Lester Kimberly. Mrs. Raymond Fitzgerald, present matron, has held that position for the past seven summers and until last year John Kimball has served as life guard for six summers. James Noland and Ernest Creno are the present guards.

Previous to the gift for the swimming pool $10,000 had been secured from the Kimberly fund in 1923, for the purchase of land for a park and playground for children. This is the Mary Kimberly Park at the east edge of which Kimberly pool is located. Two years later $2,500 was allowed by the Kimberly trustees for improvement of the park. This sum was used for landscaping the grounds and for purchasing playground equipment.

Each summer hundreds of patrons, not only from West Liberty, but from Iowa City and other nearby communities visit Kimberly Memorial pool and enjoy picnics in Mary Kimberly park.

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