As summer winds down, I thought it might be fun to share a photo of an old swimming hole that used to be a source of great fun and entertainment near the turn of the last century. The area, on the bank of the Hudson River at Dyckman Street was called the “Inwood Bathing Beach.” This not so little oasis in those days before air conditions was one of several installations to dot the local waterways during the summer months.
Inwood Bathing Beach, NY Tribune, July 15, 1906
According to the 1906 account from the New York Herald, “A novel resort far uptown on Manhattan Island is the Inwood Bathing Beach, at Dyckman (206th) street and the Hudson River. The clean sandy beach, the fine stretch of water and the bathing houses have combined to make this especially popular. It is only three minutes walk from the Broadway cars and there are accommodations for 1,500 persons at a time. A lifesaving crew is at hand for the protection of bathers, and swimming masters afford instruction to those who are not competent swimmers. Boats may be secured for rowing, and refreshments are served in the pavilion.”
For the curious: The building in the upper right of the photo is the original Jewish Memorial Hospital.
Tubby Hook today