A History of Swimming in Winston Salem

by KAREN COOPER

You could rent bathing suits at Crystal Lake! Wire baskets could also be rented to hold clothing and personal items. A large safety pin engraved with a number was given to the swimmer that corresponded to the number on the basket. You wore the pin on your bathing suit and had to show the pin to retrieve your basket. There were changing rooms available as well as a snack bar and a nearby dance floor. It seems there was something for everyone.

If you were tired of swimming, a boating lake was located next to the swimming pool, and canoes could be rented to paddle on the lake and around an island with a gazebo. There was also a bridge to the gazebo.

There was a road that circled the pool, and there were picnic tables spread throughout the pool and lake areas. Families would bring their lunch and make a full day of it!

It was there until the 1970s, when the Davis family decided they had had their fill of running Crystal Lake. Many potential buyers were scared off when they found out how hard it was to maintain a large, concrete-lined reservoir.

According to Davis family history, Crystal Lake was closed in 1975. The Corners Apartments, on Reynolda Road, were built in the Crystal Lake location. The boating lake, island, gazebo and bridge remain from the recreation area. Some other remnants can be seen from Crystal Lake, such as some of the stone walls along the paths. Memories of good times and special summers in Winston-Salem.

FIND YOUR FUN. FIND YOUR Y.

Summer Day Camp

One week or the whole summer. Indoors and out. Archery to arts, cooking classes to character development, STEM games to swimming. At the YMCA, your child will have an exciting, engaging experience — all in a safe, inclusive environment.

Traditional Summer Camp: K-5 and Teen

• Specialty Camps like Art and Legos

Overnight camp at YMCA Camp Hanes