The Swimming Pool

Somewhere about the age of 7 we moved into our Crystal Springs home.  Our parents were the kind that would do what they could do themselves to save money.  They were not people of means so saving money was important.  They both wanted more not less in life so they both equally worked hard to do themselves what many would have the money to do using contractors and the like.

Alec and Geneva Vaughan bought the property on Crystal Springs road in the 1960’s. It was a 10 acre undeveloped plot on the Westside of the city. My father worked as a Civil Service worker so he didn’t make more than government wages.  Mama was a stay-at-home Mom; totally her focus.

She was known to shop at the thrift stores and could be found on the bent aisle area trying to save a buck.  The thing was, that both of my parents had visions of grandeur.  They both wanted certain things in life and besides a Christian home, which was number one, it was to live life to the fullest.

Sometime after purchasing the land, building a home(Jim Walter) and starting a tiny( 2 cows, 1 horse, 5 chickens) farm, they decided to build their own pool and all this while Daddy worked full time with the Navy.  With shovel in hand for every member of the family, we dug our own pool. We did.  Over time, we carved out of the soil of Duval County property, a 20 x 40 sized Olympic pool with filter and all.  It was rectangle, built directly behind our home and had a depth from 3-6 1/2 feet.  

Many parties and events were held with that swimming pool. Stay tuned because there is more.

See you tomorrow,

8-5-22