Left - Clara Olson holds poster for Penny Pool Fundraising event.
Mt Horeb's
Penny Pool
In the summer of 1951, Mt. Horeb resident Clara Olson was the community’s Red Cross Chairman. She learned that 250 children wished to participate in swimming classes at Blue Mounds. The number of children was so large that children under the age of seven were restricted from enrollment. Clara decided that it was a shame that area children did not have a facility in the Village of Mt. Horeb in which to learn to swim. Thus, she set forth on a mission to establish a village swimming pool. Ironically, Clara could not swim.
Clara Olson began to address the Village Board on the importance of a community pool. In a 1973 Wisconsin State Journal article she reminisced, “I got to badgering the village board. I bothered them and bothered them and then one night, they said: “All right, Clara, you are now the chairman of the Mt. Horeb Swimming Pool committee. Go out and raise $25,000.” And raise money; she did!
Her first task was to enlist more folks to take up the cause. She called on the Village Postmaster Walter Poast to act as co-chairman. In November of 1952 she sent out letters to local organizations appealing for financial help: “What can you do? Think it over. Talk it over with your organization. Think of memorials that can be given. Think of any special projects or other means by which you may be able to raise money. Remember your community and your children will have every advantage with this swimming pool.”
The first contribution to the fund came from Mount Horeb’s oldest native born resident, Matie Hoff. Matie, widow of Andrew Hoff, founder of Hoff Department Store, gave $2,000 to the fund. Interestingly, the pool was to be built in Boeck’s Park, which was donated by her father, Carl Boek. Throughout the community adults and children alike, rallied to help fund the new swimming facility.
Children started a penny drive, with the lofty goal of 100,000 pennies. In a large tub at Olson’s restaurant, (presently “The Blue Sky”) the pennies arrived. Springdale Center School sold handmade shell pins and earrings. McPherson School PTA donated $19.60, Britt Valley School pitched in $10.00, Malone School’s Mother Club added $25.00. Bert Hrubesky, owner of “Bert’s Drugs” donated 5,333 “silver” pennies. (These coins were made during World War II. Bert had wanted to take these coins out of circulation, “I hate these things.” Said Hrubesky. “You can’t tell them from dimes in the register.” But for the cause he circulated them through the Penny Pool campaign.) Through organizations and individuals, penny-by-penny the total grew.
The project turned international as students engaged in a letter writing campaign. A map with tacks told of the origins of the pennies: California, New York, and Florida. The funds grew. Wilda Hsustad wrote to First Lady, Mami Eisenhower, and 100 pennies and a letter were sent. Bonnie Meier wrote to Willy Deraemacher of Brussels, Belgium and told him of the “Penny Pool” project, and he sent 20 francs. Coin-by-coin the total rose.
Many interesting projects fueled the fund raising. Gunnar Johansen, noted composer and pianist, gave a concert in the High School Auditorium. Famed artist Byron Jorns, donated a painting to the group, and had a contest to name the work. A barbershop concert was performed for funds, and an American Legion sponsored a benefit showing of the movie, “Scandinavian Holidays”. With continued community support, the dream of a Mt. Horeb’s swimming pool was on its way to reality.
Through grassroots efforts, the fund grew to more than $17,000. The village issued a $40,000 Bond for the project, and construction began on the 40-foot by 105-foot pool. On August 22, 1954 the pool was dedicated to the public. The largest crowd in Mt. Horeb’s history showed up for the event. Clara Olson was among them.
Though she could not swim, Clara had promised that if funding was obtained and the pool built, she would dive in. Donning a 1910 swimming suit, she plunged into the pool. Two lifeguards helped her out. A cheer went up from the crowd; Clara had seen her dream for a village pool realized. The village had come together for a common goal of providing a recreational asset for the community.