The Clougherty Pool

The George Robert White pool -- known as CLOUGHERTY -- opened for business in the summer of 1949. The pools and bath-house were built with money from the George Robert White Fund.

When he was a child, George Robert White (1847-1922), philanthropist and resident of Boston, worked for the Weeks and Potter Drug Company, a company best known for its Cuticura antibacterial soap. Over time White became the company's president and owner.

White amassed a fortune. During his lifetime he gave to a number of charitable organizations, and after his death his will bequeathed an endowment of $5 million to the City of Boston. White's will specified that the fund was to be used only for "creating public beauty and utility" for Boston's inhabitants. Benefitting from this gift, the pools were built in Doherty Park to provide a much needed swimming place in the Charlestown neighborhood.

In 1948 a contract to build the pool for $450,000 was awarded. Two fenced-in pools -- a long lap pool and a diving pool with its thrilling high diving board -- opened in the summer of 1949. Almost immediately, swimming teams were formed.

Swim Teams and Races

Swim meets were held at the pool every August. Boys and Girls CYO (Catholic Youth Organization)swim meets attracted teams from all over the city, while the annual Boston Parks Department swim competition was a highlight of the summer.

As part of the Charlestown teams, I practiced with my team mates every morning of the summer. We met up at the pool at 9 a.m. to swim laps, practice and refine our strokes and receive the invaluable attention, coaching and leadership of Frank Vita. He and his brother Dick Vita were part of the George Robert White Pool. While Dick seemed more "office bound," Frank was always out on the pool deck, willing to be a force for good in our lives.

Workouts were strenuous. Vita prepared us for August competitions by having us take our mark He called out the stroke, fired the starter pistol and we were off.

At one practice I didn't hear him call the stroke and was still on deck while everyone else was in the water and a quarter of the way up the pool. When he yelled "breast stroke" again, I dove in, swam with everything I had -- and won the sprint!

Frank said "Helen, now we know -- that's your stroke," and from then on, that's how I competed. Breaststroke is still my favorite way to swim. "Frog's arms and legs" can save your shoulders from the strain of swimming overhand.

It seems the whole neighborhood came out for the night-time meets, when the pool had a tropical feel. Submerged lights lined the long lap-pool walls, like illuminated globes that shot shimmers across the water. The meets were exciting and festive and it was satisfying to win a trophy or two. Peggy Donohue, Sissy Suprey and Peggy Harrington were a few talented members of the team.

In front of the bath house was a dais where the swimmers stood to receive trophies and medals for first, second and third place. Spectators from the stone bleachers, who cheered us on when we raced now screamed when we won.

The pool still amazes and continues to be the place to cool off in the summer heat.

• For pool schedule see https://www.boston.gov/departm...

Information for this article was compiled from various research sources, including Christian Science Monitor September 1, 1948; various Boston Globe Archives between the years 1949 and 1965; and various web-sites, including www.cityofboston.gov/ and www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Robert_White#George_Robert_White_Fund