09/27/2022
This is Lewis County's only WW2 memorial, and we want it.
Ever wonder about the history of the Pearl Street Pool? This is a story published in The Daily Chronicle, Wednesday, June 13, 1945
HEADLINE: WAR MEMORIAL WILL BE SWIMMING POOL
SUBHEADING: Centralians Cast Convincing Vote on Type of Project They Desire as Tribute to City's Fighting Men Who Have Given Their All in World Conflict
Favored with better that 80 percent majority through a public opinion poll, a new, modern indoor swimming pool, complete with building, gymnasium and meeting rooms for youth groups of the city, will serve as Centralia's "living war memorial" to commemorate the deeds and services of the community's fighting sons of World War II and the memory of those who will not return.
The announcement was made by Jack McNiven, chairman of a memorial steering committee charged with selecting the type of memorial to be planned, and how it will be financed and built.
Poll is Convincing
To determine the type of project to be undertaken through the memorial theme, the steering group last week requested the Daily Chronicle to conduct a public opinion poll through the use of ballots published in the paper. Since the week-end the ballots have been forwarded by Centralians, and from the very first there was no doubt as to their trend.
Received as the result of the pool were 126 ballots, of which 102 favored the swimming pool and 24 the civic auditorium.
The chairman said the results of the poll definitely indicate Centralians desire a modern swimming pool and gymnasium as their "living war memorial" project. He added the steering committee's work will now be directed at planning how that type of memorial may be best secured.
District To Build Auditorium
Selection of the swimming pool project as a memorial does not necessarily mean Centralia will receive no civic auditorium, it was explained. The two projects have been considered by memorial supporters since mid-May, when the movement got under way. They were endorsed at a public meeting and it was explained one is to be included in the school district's post-war building program.
School district leaders agreed that the project not desired as a memorial project would be included in their building program plans. Now, as a result of the community's decision, work will go forward with plans aimed at a memorial swimming pool, to be financed and built by the community, and at a new civic auditorium, to be included in the school district's building program.
