tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921005.post110195419111779874..comments2024-03-28T20:15:56.227-05:00Comments on CITY OF DUST: Getzen's Pondjmhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07470407787311078380noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921005.post-57844961618836593192024-01-21T23:09:05.947-06:002024-01-21T23:09:05.947-06:00I believe Willow Springs was located on Cherokee D...I believe Willow Springs was located on Cherokee Drive just outside of Belvedere off of Clearwater Road. It's no longer open to the public but I remember spending so many summers there as a child. There were several concrete rafts and a couple of dives, as well as a snack bar that sold just about anything you'd want on a hot summer day. They've developed the entire area now, so it's a bit tricky trying to find the place unless you know exactly where to look.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921005.post-33576648843666224982020-05-02T20:50:59.105-05:002020-05-02T20:50:59.105-05:00Hi Unknown,
Thank you very much for the informati...Hi Unknown,<br /><br />Thank you very much for the information on Willow Springs! We've been waiting for an update like that for years and years! Now, does anybody reading this happen to be in the area and perhaps able to take a little look for us? I'd love to see some photos, especially if the high dive is still there.<br /><br />Thanks again, Unknown! JMjmhousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07470407787311078380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921005.post-28518569441218973452020-05-02T18:59:01.557-05:002020-05-02T18:59:01.557-05:00Coming from Belvedere going towards Clearwater, yo...Coming from Belvedere going towards Clearwater, you took Old Clearwater Rd and took the first right after where the Palmetto Pkwy crosses. As I recall, it was up a little ways on the left where you turned down a dirt roadAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08036970815148219505noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921005.post-54806096024074099432020-05-02T18:55:49.193-05:002020-05-02T18:55:49.193-05:00Willow Springs is still there. Not open to the pub...Willow Springs is still there. Not open to the public anymore. I was told 6-8 yrs ago, the high five was still there. I learned to swim there. Great memories. Wish they were still open when my children were learning to swimAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08036970815148219505noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921005.post-87727135969716766012018-06-06T14:57:24.442-05:002018-06-06T14:57:24.442-05:00I, too, remember swimming at the Panic Pond in the...I, too, remember swimming at the Panic Pond in the early '50's! My daddy told me that the reason the pond closed was due to the polio epidemic at that time! Those were the good old days for sure!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921005.post-51197135572042695062017-04-29T16:05:46.675-05:002017-04-29T16:05:46.675-05:00Thank you very much for sharing your memories of G...Thank you very much for sharing your memories of Getzen's Pond, Bob Cooper. I can't help but mention that, like your father and uncle, I, too, am a University of Georgia alumnus! That is also really something that your grandmother's grandfather built the Sibley Mill!<br /><br />I would like to express my further gratitude to you for contributing so many wonderful photos of Getzen's Pond to share with everyone. I have posted the pictures above and am thrilled to have them added to what is getting to be quite an extensive archive of Getzen's material.<br /><br />Thanks again! JM <br /><br /><br /><br />jmhousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07470407787311078380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921005.post-37171690150842806252017-04-17T09:56:17.681-05:002017-04-17T09:56:17.681-05:00My father, Bobby Cooper, and his brother Charles C...My father, Bobby Cooper, and his brother Charles Cooper, Jr. were both life guards and swimming instructors at Getzen's. They both later swam for the University Of Georgia and were conference champions. My grandfather Charles Cooper, Sr. taught there as well. In the early 70's I remember our dad taking us out there to swim, the road was a rutted, bumpy sandy affair, and the water was ice cold. The swim platform was still out in the water, but the buildings were falling in. We went and visited with Katherine Mealing as well. I have a lot of these photos as originals, they were shared by some of the kind folks posting here. Will Mealing was my great uncle. We also have a link to The Sibley Mill,it having been built by my grandmother's grandfather. <br /> Bob Coopernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921005.post-31221770843355688492015-06-07T23:09:32.114-05:002015-06-07T23:09:32.114-05:00Sheila Wilson, those are wonderful memories. Thank...Sheila Wilson, those are wonderful memories. Thank you for letting me add them to the blog post itself. I encourage everyone to go back and read the "2015 Update," a fantastic recounting of summer days at Getzen's, complete with new vintage photo!<br /><br />Thanks again! JMjmhousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07470407787311078380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921005.post-68055395422208076282015-06-06T16:58:02.199-05:002015-06-06T16:58:02.199-05:00A fabulous history of Getzens. Had spent most ever...A fabulous history of Getzens. Had spent most every summers' day there from mid 40's to mid 50's. Emailing some memories. Sheila O 'Connor WilsonAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04693822245642317489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921005.post-63523842904114053372015-01-15T10:35:28.372-06:002015-01-15T10:35:28.372-06:00Yes, Doug, time does indeed go by quickly! And thi...Yes, Doug, time does indeed go by quickly! And things change fast. That's not a bad lesson, but one that's good to learn early on. That way you don't take anything for granted. <br /><br />JMjmhousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07470407787311078380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921005.post-49258484690609218812015-01-15T06:29:04.154-06:002015-01-15T06:29:04.154-06:00Ah, it came up in my search but I didn't initi...Ah, it came up in my search but I didn't initially watch it. That's the second time I've done that, now. It would seem I prefer reading text over watching videos...<br /><br />I did like the video, though. For some odd reason (I'm only 21), it made me feel extremely old... But in a good way. Childhood seems like it was so long ago. It's crazy how much things change in so little time.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16216873981611829920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921005.post-54461724841697351282015-01-14T22:29:14.248-06:002015-01-14T22:29:14.248-06:00Did you see this video, Doug?
https://www.youtub...Did you see this video, Doug? <br /><br />https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbHR3b2kCn4<br /><br />It's done by the same guy that wrote the piece you referenced. It's well worth a look.<br /><br />JMjmhousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07470407787311078380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921005.post-89884974572236559372015-01-14T02:33:40.318-06:002015-01-14T02:33:40.318-06:00I've been trying to locate Getzen's Pond o...I've been trying to locate Getzen's Pond on the map (I think I can see some water where I've pinpointed it, but it's hard to tell), and came across this recent article about the pond's history. The information is nothing new, but I was pleased to see it getting some interest.<br /><br />http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/metro/2014-06-26/getzens-pond-was-place-swimmingAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16216873981611829920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921005.post-23327529614886272242014-06-30T12:07:57.846-05:002014-06-30T12:07:57.846-05:00Thanks for your wonderful recollections, Mrs. Dorr...Thanks for your wonderful recollections, Mrs. Dorr Barnett. I always love to hear from people that frequented Getzen's. Of course, I was stunned to read that it was your brother who was drowned at Panic Pond. Having read some accounts of that event, it is quite something to get a message from you. I am very sorry for your loss.<br /><br />I don't know if you have seen it already, but last week Bill Kirby did a short video about Getzen's Pond. You can find it <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbHR3b2kCn4&list=UUrZzxLcLSTa0dP3lmCsHwmw" rel="nofollow">HERE</a>. I think you'd enjoy it.<br /><br />Thanks again! JM jmhousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07470407787311078380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921005.post-4832032993524538742014-06-28T21:20:57.250-05:002014-06-28T21:20:57.250-05:00My family and I spent our summers at Getzen's ...My family and I spent our summers at Getzen's during the late 1940's and early 50's. Our mother's played bridge and we played ping pong, swam and had picnics in the screened in room at the top of the hill. I got my life saving certificates there. My brother Ferris Dorr and his friends were life guards. It was my other brother, Larry, who was drowned at Panic Pond. He was on an outing with the cub scouts and dove off the board and hit his head. The pond closed shortly after. I remember the sand pits also up over the hill and down by Buena Vista. I love my memories and think about the ponds when I cross the 13th Street bridge and go down Buena Vista. Vicky Dorr BarnettErrunsbyvickyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17862433821418201820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921005.post-74625536286931190882014-03-27T12:11:48.973-05:002014-03-27T12:11:48.973-05:00Thanks, George. Rather sad to hear about your frie...Thanks, George. Rather sad to hear about your friend, but it does fill in some background. Incidentally, there is a detailed description of a drowning at Panic Pond in <a href="http://books.google.com/books?id=bDpBtXuLhjIC&pg=PA16&lpg=PA16&dq=panic+pond+and+north+augusta&source=bl&ots=yrxveXBPob&sig=nJoFi-rl4lU5h6-1_vgeiB7h3Zs&hl=en&sa=X&ei=bwe2UK2mHIi49QTb44CgDA&sqi=2&ved=0CEIQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=panic%20pond%20and%20north%20augusta&f=false" rel="nofollow">THIS PIECE</a>, but the author has the pond re-opening afterward, at least for awhile. Best, JM jmhousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07470407787311078380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921005.post-81648770446329765912014-03-27T09:36:11.735-05:002014-03-27T09:36:11.735-05:00I am 62 and remember Panic Pond since I swam there...I am 62 and remember Panic Pond since I swam there as a young child. I believe it closed just after a childhood friend drowned there- Larry Dore. <br /><br />George<br /><br />10:31amAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10651579099991661057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921005.post-70456915602756047862012-02-29T22:54:40.068-06:002012-02-29T22:54:40.068-06:00Yup, it's just north of the golf course, right...Yup, it's just north of the golf course, right across the railroad tracks and back in the woods. I guess I wouldn't be surprised if it had dried up, although I'd be interested to know if the spring was still producing water. <br /><br />Thanks for the update!<br /><br />JMjmhousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07470407787311078380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921005.post-55840405167959412592012-02-29T22:44:22.547-06:002012-02-29T22:44:22.547-06:00Where is this pond located? Is it north of the go...Where is this pond located? Is it north of the golf course? If it is the one I am thinking of, it appears to have dried up.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921005.post-76866927572117576972011-09-17T16:36:39.307-05:002011-09-17T16:36:39.307-05:00Below is a message I received from a Midwestern Ge...Below is a message I received from a Midwestern Getzen wondering if the Getzen's from the Central Savannah River Area might be related to Getzen's now living in Michigan. If anyone has any information about Michigan Getzen's you can contact Debbie Patterson-Getzen at:<br /><br />dgpatterson55(at)gmail(dot)com. <br /><br />She'd love to hear from you.<br /><br />Thanks! JM<br /><br />"My name is Debbie Getzen and I grew up in Michigan. Do you know if you are related to any Getzen's in Michigan? I have been reading about the city of dust and The Getzen's swimming hole. It sounded like alot of fun back then.<br /><br />Any information would be appreciated.<br /><br />Thanks<br /><br />Debbie Getzen"jmhousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07470407787311078380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921005.post-46138314922284517842011-06-18T18:51:53.138-05:002011-06-18T18:51:53.138-05:00Thanks so much for your recollections, Ruth! I...Thanks so much for your recollections, Ruth! I'm proud to have them posted here.<br /><br />Warmest Regards,<br /><br />JMjmhousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07470407787311078380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921005.post-28914731596677715542011-06-14T23:41:27.424-05:002011-06-14T23:41:27.424-05:00am adding my grandmothers memories of her time gro...am adding my grandmothers memories of her time growing up in Augusta, GA. She is 95 years old and has fond memories of Getzens Pond. <br />Here name is Ruth May Ritzel (Fielden)<br /><br />Getzens Pond had a big hill with sand, like at a beach and they had an office and lockers with changing area.<br /><br />Getzens Pond is where I learned to swim and took my Red Cross training. <br />My friends and I went swimming alot and skating. <br />We did roller skating in the park and at the rink. <br />They would have marathon dances at the swimming hole (getzens pond) and entertainment.<br />I would sing sometimes. We would go to a place afterwards sometimes like Kentucky Fried Chicken, and they <br />would bring little buckets of water to put on the tables to rinse your fingers in.<br />"Every Friday night we would have hot dogs and roll up the rugs and have a dance party. One time it would be at my house and then another time<br />at someone elses.<br />I had a great childhood!"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921005.post-49257446578116367352010-12-27T16:23:35.102-06:002010-12-27T16:23:35.102-06:00Still no information on any pond in the Belvedere ...Still no information on any pond in the Belvedere area known as Willow Springs. I guess it will remain a mystery...for now.jmhousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07470407787311078380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921005.post-73341413629506017472010-06-11T09:57:26.919-05:002010-06-11T09:57:26.919-05:00Thanks for your comment! I personally don't kn...Thanks for your comment! I personally don't know anything about Willow Springs, but I asked around and it's being looked into. If I find anything out I'll post it here in the comments section, so check back every now and then. Likewise, if you get any info, please let us know.<br /><br />Best,<br /><br />Johnjmhousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07470407787311078380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921005.post-10496007154175260872010-06-06T21:28:27.224-05:002010-06-06T21:28:27.224-05:00Do you know anything about a pond called "Wil...Do you know anything about a pond called "Willow Springs"? My Mother took us there when we were small children. I think it is in the Belvedere area, near or beyond the Elementary school. I am 47 now and moved from that area 35 years ago. I remember it had white beaches and many slides and docks. Is it still there?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com