09/01/2022
92 years ago Sulphur Park Swimming Pool had its Grand Opening. August 31, 1930, farmer and rancher Jake Kurtz was able to see his years of hard work open to hundreds of locals. Located off Highway 95 between Shiner and Moulton, the large concrete swimming pool and the recreational area was built. Jake named it "Sulphur Park" after the rich sulphur-laced mineral water coming from the newly dug 73-foot well that was on the north bank of nearby Ponton Creek.
The pool was excavated that summer by George Janssen using horse and mule-drawn scrapers and heavy equipment. The Shiner Light Plant worked for two months to extend the electrical line out to Mr. Kurtz's property. Measuring 120 feet long by 40 feet wide, the pool featured a deep side for diving and a shallow side for wading. Outdoor wooden picnic tables were added under large trees for shade as well as bathhouses. A concession stand, an adjoining baseball field, a covered concrete dance floor, and a country store.
On "Splash Day" hundreds attended the opening and feasted on barbeque and enjoyed a turkey shoot sponsored by the Shiner Gun Club, a baseball tournament, and music provided by Schultz Band.
As the only pool in the area and with a family atmosphere, Sulphur Park became a haven for the community, especially during hard times. For more than sixty years, Sulphur Park was an oasis in the country for the Shiner and Moulton communities and contributed to the recreational history of the area.
We can only imagine how amazing that day was back in 1930! The pool may not be running these days, but we are now open as an outdoor venue rental for your next birthday, family reunion, graduation, wedding, or celebration of any kind!