Sunday, April 09, 2006

History Of Gustine Lake

Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis Center (constructed on the grounds of the old Gustine Lake) 1950 Photograph of Gustine Lake
My Father Ronald Weleski (age 5yrs) 1939 Photograph at Gustine Lake
Closeup Photograph of Ronald Weleski at Gustine Lake in 1939

Manmade lake once located at the 4200 block of Ridge Avenue just below the Wissahickon Falls and near where the Wissahickon Creek dumps into the Schuylkill River. The lake was fed by the waters of the Wissahickon Creek for many years until the lake was drained and a pool built on the same grounds.

For many years, Gustine Lake was the public waterhole for those living in the East Falls and surrounding areas during those hot summers before the invention of modern Air conditioners.

During the heighten concerns of the polio epidemic between the years 1932 to 1950, many families avoided the public waterhole during the the last weeks of August thu to the first two weeks of September when polio outbreaks were at their highest.

Today, the grounds of Gustine Lake are undergoing the construction of the Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis Center.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

WE SPENT MANY WINTER NIGHTS ICE SKATING AT GUSTINE LAKE IN THE '50S. ALSO REMEMBER THE ROOTBEER HOUSE ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE LAKE. BERNIEFO@VERIZON.NET
AVONDALE, PA.

Rachel vaughan said...

I swam at the pool for many summers in the late 60s.

Unknown said...

Thank you. I enjoy reading your blog. Very well done. Thoughtful and insightful.

John Patrick said...

Spent MANY days ice skating there!!!! Have a picture of me and my sister from 1947

Anonymous said...

On 28 June 1928 my husband's 10 yrs old cousin fell into the water while playing and drown.
An unfortunate accident. My husband was only four months old but remembered the story of the accident his entire life.

Unknown said...

Was there some kind of explosion thief in 1959 or so?

Steve 3731 winona st proj said...

59 or so: that might be when a car fell through the road into a sinkhole on the ridge ave side of the lake

Steve 3731 winona st proj said...

59 or so: that might be when a car fell through the road into a sinkhole on the ridge ave side of the lake

Unknown said...

What were the dimensions. I lived at 4851, at the 2 ft end. I say 300yds by 70yds. Tell me what you know.

Unknown said...

I learn to swim there in the 50

JENNIFER COLACICCO said...

On 7.28.1918, a distant uncle Francis Horan, drowned at Gustine Lake at just 7 years old. I believe my paternal grandparents met there in the 40's. Bill Colacicco and Patsy Huffnagle.

Anonymous said...

dan kirk root beer place across the street, barnettes proerty, does anyone have pictures, lived at 4851 ridge from 1944 til 1965.

Anonymous said...

I can get you a picture of 4851 Ridge Ave.