Among the best swimming facilities available locally were those at Sanatoga Lake

At Ringing Rocks, similarly named "Lake Minnetoga"

By Carol Isett
of the Lower Pottsgrove
Historical Society,
for The Sanatoga Post

SANATOGA PA – They’re upon us: those lazy, hazy days of summer when everyone’s mind turns to ways to cool off. In the days before air conditioning and backyard pools, the next best thing was the ole’ swimmin’ hole. Lower Pottsgrove (PA) Township had no shortage of good places for swimming and water activities.

First was the lake at Sanatoga Park. A swimming area was installed with diving boards, sliding boards, and other water amusement devices. The bottom of the pool was covered in sand and gravel, in order to make it a comfort to bathe in this cool and exhilarating body of water. Bath houses were built; bathing suits could be rented, and there also were boats and canoes for rental by the hour.

Coolest in town was Pruss Hill, seen from overhead

Then there was Lake Minnetoga at Ringing Rocks Park. It covered two acres and was said to be a beautiful body of water that reflected the bordering trees in its limpid depths. Fed by a spring, this was a choice spot for swimming in years past. There were also pleasure boats for the visitor who cared to row over its crystal water.

Another great place to cool off was Pruss Hill Dam, located at Pruss Hill Road and Schaffer Road. Pruss Hill Dam had long been famous for being the coldest spot in the area during the winter, so what else would be better than to take a cool dip in the refreshing waters? There was a bath house for changing, and Miss Elsie Liss, daughter of G.E. Liss – owner and proprietor of the Pruss Hill Ice Co. – taught local children how to swim there.

Best kept secret? Reese's Dam

There was one more spot which would fit the category of old swimming hole to a “T.” It was Reese’s Dam, down almost at the end of Sanatoga Creek where it empties into the Schuylkill River. There was the proverbial rope tied to a tree that swung out over the water. A few brave swimmers actually dived off the high stone wall, which is now crumbling and unsafe to be near, into the cool water below.

Even though home air conditioning was not much more than the seed of an idea in someone’s mind at the time, there were great ways to cool off in the early days of Lower Pottsgrove.

Editor’s note: The Lower Pottsgrove Historical Society was formed in 1985 to share the heritage of Lower Pottsgrove Township with its residents. It meets on the second Wednesday of every month at its museum and offices in the former Sanatoga Chapel, 2341 E. High St., Sanatoga PA. Author and society member Carol Isett has joined society President Beth Scherer in writing about Lower Pottsgrove history monthly for The Post.

Related articles in this series:

• Historic Answer To Heat: Township Swimmin’ Holes
• Need A Local Hotel? There Once Were Four, Right Here
• What’s Changed Most In ‘Grove Grads? Their Schools
• Shantz’s Mound Presence Made Sanatoga ‘Pheverous’
• Stars Danced In Lower Pottsgrove Long Before TV Show
• Never Heard Of Sanatoga’s Longview Hotel? Here’s Why

Photos from the Historical Society