Metropolitan Park Bathhouse and Pool Historic District, historic district in New Mexico, United States
The Metropolitan Park Bathhouse and Pool Historic District is a bathhouse and swimming pool in Pueblo Revival style located in Tucumcari, covering about one and a half acres. The one-story adobe bathhouse with brown stucco features exposed beams, uneven walls, and a long sheltered porch, while the concrete pool measured roughly 180 feet by 125 feet and could hold nearly 400,000 gallons of water.
The bathhouse was built in 1940 as part of New Deal public works, constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps using local materials and regional architectural styles. The pool was once among the largest outdoor swimming pools in New Mexico and represented community efforts to provide recreational facilities during economically difficult times.
The park was known by different local names, including Five Mile Park and Apache Wells Lions Club Park, showing how people in the community viewed and used this space. These varied names reflect its importance as a gathering place where families came to cool off and socialize during summer months.
The site is easy to reach by car, located about 1.5 miles west of the main town exit near Interstate 40 with ample parking space. The park is well-maintained and open for walking through the grounds, where you can see the remaining structures and explore the historic layout at a relaxed pace.
The bathhouse was designed by Trent Thomas, an architect who also worked on other significant buildings in New Mexico including the Valmora Sanatorium and a residence in Santa Fe. The pool was drained in the 1970s and the bathhouse suffered fire damage in 2010, yet the concrete pool shell and sandstone borders remain as reminders of when this was a lively gathering spot.
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