Article
By Al Donley · Published · Updated
Believe it or not, you could once go swimming in Washington, DC's Tidal Basin. In 1918, the Tidal Basin Bathing Beach opened. It was a man-made swimming area with views of the Washington Monument.[1]
There were swimming lessons, high dives, canoe races, swim contests, umbrellas, and lounge chairs. By 1920, as many as 20,000 people showed up on a single day.[1]
But a major problem remained: Black people were not allowed to use it. In the 1920s, Congress considered funding a separate beach for Black residents. Still, a group of Senators blocked the effort, which ultimately led to the dismantling of the Tidal Basin Beach.[1]
So the next time you're walking around the Tidal Basin, remember: this was once one of Washington's most popular places to cool off.[1]
