Alva Swimming Pool and Bathhouse – Alva

Address:	1600 Flynn Street, Alva, Oklahoma	County	Woods
Started:		Completed	1939
Agencies:	WPA	NRHP:	2022

Current Usage

Bathhouse

Description:

The Alva Swimming Pool is oval (267′ x 140′) and constructed of poured concrete. It is supplied with water by an underground pumphouse, and it is surrounded by a poured concrete apron. A smaller wading pool is adjacent. The rectangular (81′ x 40′) bathhouse is situated just south of the swimming pool and is constructed of poured concrete now painted white. The roof is flat with parapets. The south entry is framed by stepped pilasters, while on the rear of the building the east section is left open and serves as a shaded area for bathers. Windows are filled with opaque glass. The bathhouse has a distinct flavor of art deco architectural style.
For almost fifty years the Alva Swimming Pool and Bathhouse has been an exceptional resource for the community. Residents have been cooled from the hot and dusty winds of summer and have recreated their spirits from the mundane cares of day-to-day activities. As a part of a larger public park, the facility symbolizes a depression era program tht emphasized people instead of money. Indeed, construction enabled drought stricken and destitute agriculturalists to find employment that salvaged their pride and eased their poverty. At the same time, wages of some 74,000 man-hours of labor revitalized the local economy at a time when business activity was nearly at a stand still. Architecturally, the bathhouse is unusual locally for its art deco style, poured concrete construction material, type, and workmanship.[1]

Once known as the “Little Ocean”, the swimming pool is 200 feet long with a capacity of over 500,000 gallons of water. There is also a smaller circular-shaped wading pool and concrete gazebo.

VERBAL BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION: On the west side of Alva, the property begins at a point 832 feet east of the southwest corner of the NW 1/4 of Sec. 23, T 27 N, R 14 W, then goes 416 feet north, 208 feet east, 416 feet south, and 208 feet west.