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VINTAGRAPH • WPA • WWII • YOU MEAN A WOMAN CAN OPEN IT?

Last One In: 1942

July 1942. "Rupert, Idaho. Schoolboys at swimming pool." Medium format negative by Russell Lee for the Office of War Information. View full size.

July 1942. "Rupert, Idaho. Schoolboys at swimming pool." Medium format negative by Russell Lee for the Office of War Information. View full size.

 

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Irrigation structure?

Looking at the concrete walls of the swimming hole shown in Dave's added photo, I suspect this was an irrigation canal water control structure. Irrigated land is plentiful in southern Idaho.

On Board

Looks like the can-do enterprising youth of yesteryear decided a higher diving board, with more "spring" was called for.

Two observations.

Number one, I can just imagine their grandmas running after them with milk and cookies on account of them being "so thin" (been there, long ago, *sigh*).

Number two: Well, that dive board looks kind of shaky. How did they ever survive their childhood with such extremely hazardous attractive nuisances around?

Well, probably they had been told to look before they leap, instead of their parents looking for somebody to sue anytime they come home with as much as a scratch.

Style shift

Today’s low-waisted, long-legged, baggy board shorts are pretty much the stylistic antithesis of what these boys are wearing. Hopefully the chances of this swimsuit style returning during my lifetime are as remote as the chance of this body habitus returning.

Belted

Swim trunks with belts! Great idea for diving safely.

Look at that divingboard!

I wonder if "swimming pool" might be better described as "swimming hole"? These boys seem to be deliberating about something, like perhaps a snapping turtle in the "pool"?

[Another view of the pool. - Dave]

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