Queen City Pool and Pool House

Queen City Pool is a circular concrete bathhouse in Tuscaloosa designed by architect Don Buel Schuyler, with an Art Deco fountain marking the entrance. The building measures about 75 feet across and served as a public swimming facility before being repurposed to house cultural institutions.

The bathhouse was built in 1941 as part of the Works Progress Administration program during the Great Depression, reflecting efforts to create public infrastructure during economic hardship. After operating as a swimming facility for decades, it was converted into a transportation museum in 2011 to preserve local history.

The name Queen City reflects how Tuscaloosa saw itself as an important regional center, and the building's Art Deco design shows the artistic preferences of the era. Today the structure continues to draw visitors interested in how communities express their identity through public architecture.

The site is undergoing renovations beginning in 2024, so visitors should check ahead for current access and hours before planning a visit. The building's central location in Tuscaloosa makes it easy to reach, and local visitor information can provide updates on reopening and the new programming.

Between 2012 and 2015, the former swimming basin was transformed each winter into an ice rink as part of the annual riverside holiday celebrations, drawing families from the area. This seasonal use showed how the building could adapt to different purposes and highlighted its importance to community events.

Location: Alabama

Inception: 1941

GPS coordinates: 33.21472,-87.56333

Latest update: December 14, 2025 12:23