Was that hole a swimming pool?

By David L. Cordes, Administrator

2004

In 1924, Grover Hubbell began a project of major repairs and modernizations to Terrace Hill. His father, F. M. Hubbell, was in failing health, and it was decided that Grover and his family would move into Terrace Hill to care for him. There had not been any modernizations or major repairs of any great magnitude to the mansion since 1885, so there was much to do. Electricity was installed along with other repairs and modernizations, including an electric-power elevator and more bathrooms.

In 1928, a swimming pool was added to the grounds. Not only was this significant for Terrace Hill, but this was also the first private swimming pool in the city of Des Moines. The architectural firm of Tinsley and McBroom completed the designs for the elaborate swimming pool in July of 1928. This design placed the pool and other improvements on the terrace below the east side of the mansion. This terrace originally included an ornamental pond, so installation of a swimming pool was consistent with the original landscape plans of the property. The pool itself was 20 feet wide by 60 feet long. It included a diving board at one end and a shallow wading pool at the other. The wading pool was in a semicircular shape that extended from the otherwise rectangular shape. In the center of the wading pool was a pediment upon which rested a beautiful bronze sculpture of a young maiden sitting sideways with one hand near the water.

At the south end of the pool there was a whimsical structure that the architect described as a pergola. This structure was constructed of rustic limestone blocks with arched openings and a crude roof of peeled logs upon which vines could grow. It featured a basement below, which housed a dressing room as well as a room for the pump equipment. The pool was surrounded by a flagstone walkway with four stone benches. The sides of the pool area were defined by a high hedge. The north end of the area was defined by a low rustic stone wall, which had a set of steps that led to the lawn area in the northern half of this same terrace. For many years, there was a set of large ceramic planters, finished with a turquoise-colored glaze, flanking the steps.

The plans also detailed significant development of the portion of the terrace to the north of the pool that was never completed. This area would have been as grand and detailed as the pool itself. It measured 57 feet square and was to be surrounded by a low rustic limestone wall, creating a courtyard effect. In the center was to be a lily pool. At the edge of this courtyard was an overlook that would have allowed for a view to the east. On the west side of this courtyard, there was to be a grand staircase constructed of stone, which would have allowed the residents to proceed from the east porch of the mansion, down a series of 26 steps to a landing overlooking the lily pool, then down three more steps to the lawns of the courtyard.

The pool was filled with sand in the early 1990s in a manner that would preserve the structure until such time that it might be restored to its full glory.

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