When it opened here in 1895, the Wayne Natatorium was among the largest open-air in-ground swimming pools in the US, measuring 500 feet by 100 feet. The spring-fed pool hosted National Swimming Association championships in the late 19th century. Although female swimmers were unable to participate in competitive events, the Wayne Natatorium was open to women. The pool closed in 1903 as a result of droughts and the shift in popularity to other forms of recreation.