Small Town, Big Pool

My sister is visiting from Texas and yesterday we relived a childhood memory and took a swim at the park in Hardtner, Kansas. You know how much smaller places seem to be that you remember as a kid when you revisit them as an adult?  Well, that’s not the case with the pool that Jacob Achenbach built and donated to this little town in 1937.  It is still huge!

Just a few years ago we took our grandkids there to swim and we had the whole place to ourselves that day! The cost was only 25 cents apiece. Entry fees have gone up some now, but it is still a great deal and a grand experience.  Friendly staff (the lifeguard didn't blow her whistle once all afternoon!) and there are rafts, floaties, mats, tubes, and noodles available FREE! When you get those swimming hungries, you can buy cold drinks, candy, snacks, and snowcones for nominal prices.

The classic bathhouse is still clean, well maintained, and freshly painted for probably at least the 50^th time in its long history.  My sister and I found the water sparkling and cold even on this 104 degree afternoon. There were only about 25 people swimming, and seldom all at the same time.  The high diving board is gone, but there are still 2 other boards, 2 slides, a waterfall jet, and a separate fenced and gated kiddie pool.

The pool is set in a nice big shady park with good playground equipment and a cute little playhouse.  Across the street is the now abandoned Achenbach Memorial Hospital.  The park, pool, fairgrounds, and hospital were all built in the early 1900's by the generosity and foresight of Mr. Achenbach, the town founder.

So if you still live in this area, don’t forget what a great pool is sitting in Hardtner.  And if you’re just passing through on a hot summer afternoon,  have a cool dip, thanks to this German farmboy immigrant, Jacob Achenbach!