UPDATE, Aug. 15, 2014 / Today is the final “weekday” on the schedule at Centennial Beach for the summer season. Going forward, The Beach will be open weekends through Labor Day when it will close for the 2014 season at 6PM.
Naperville is blessed with many outdoor spaces to celebrate traditions and the city’s rich history from North Central College to Burlington Square Park to Centennial Beach to Naper Settlement to the Riverwalk, just for starters. Celebrate safely.
Above / Since 1932, The Beach has provided space for summer recreation in the sunshine.
Earlier Post on Aug. 3, 2014 / After a Sunday morning walk around Naperville’s ole’ swimmin’ hole, thoughts turned to the fact that the historic quarry is noticeably different from photos of its beginning 82 years ago. Back then, it opened as Centennial Beach to commemorate Naperville’s first 100 years and the popular summer retreat was pretty much set in its ways for 75 years.
Above / A handsome entrance welcomes residents and guests to Centennial Beach and its updated Bath House.
Then came growth and development. And ever since 2006 when the summer playground hosted a party called the “Bottom-Feeder Ball,” new ideas have become reality. For instance, during the semi-formal dinner, former Mudrats, beach bums, lifeguards and members of the community came together to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Centennial Beach while raising money for a new slide for the shallow end of the quarry. What a fun time it was to see folks gussied up in “water themed” attire to dine at the bottom of a water-free quarry.
And by 2011, many other new features had been designed to enhance safety while adding many other suggested family-friendly improvements by local residents. Change took time.
Today an updated bath house with family locker rooms (see entrance / top photo), a separate concession building, volley ball courts and additional water features in the sandy beach provide welcoming amenities for plenty of leisurely activities at The Beach.
As Naper Settlement celebrates the 130th birthday of the Martin-Mitchell Mansion, formerly known as Pine Crest, note that George Martin had big connections to the Centennial Beach quarry where he began digging limestone for his business enterprise in 1833.
A stone marker at the top of Rotary Hill along the Riverwalk is set where the Martin family built the first wood frame house in DuPage County. The historic home was destroyed by fire in 1958.
And across Aurora Avenue at the city’s outdoor history museum, the Martin-Mitchell Mansion stands in its grand Victorian spendor, showcasing the memory and success of one of Naperville’s prominent families from the 19th Century.
Above / Built in 1884, the grand Martin-Mitchell Mansion is the gem of Naper Settlement.
Back in 1931, as is recorded on the Centennial Beach website, “Naperville resident Judge Win Knoch proposed the purchase of the original Von Oven property in honor of the city’s 100th birthday. The parcel included 45 acres and two abandoned quarries on the western edge of town. The name “Centennial Beach” seemed an appropriate acknowledgement of the fact that the land was gifted to the city for its centennial celebration.
“During the height of the Great Depression in the 1930s, a permanent memorial committee was appointed to oversee the acquisition and development of the land. It consisted of Chairman Judge Win Knoch, William R. Friedrich, E.J.T. Moyer, John W. Bauer, T.F. Boecher, Sr. and Dr. C.S. Whitehead. The committee and local citizens funded the purchase of the land that became Centennial Beach by each contributing $500 for a total donation of $16,500.”
Above / With the Moser Tower and its 72-bell carillon in the distance, Centennial Beach offers adult float every Saturday and Sunday at 9AM. Listen. Hear the carillon bong, bong, bong, bong, bong, bong, bong, bong, bong.
Fast forward 82 years and, weather permitting, Centennial Beach continues to create wonderful memories for all ages on a hot summer’s day.
Above / Beginning Aug. 16, 2014, Centennial Beach will be open weekends only, with the exception of Labor Day when, weather permitting, lifeguards will be on duty for open swim from 11AM until 6PM.
On July 27, 2014, 95.9 The River held its first-ever “Float Your (Cardboard) Boat for a Cause,” and the Naperville Jaycees’ entry became victorious during the fun-in-the-sun event.
Above / During one the swimmers’ rest breaks, 95.9 The River hosted a cardboard boat race, a new event for Centennial Beach, to benefit and promote local charities.
Just steps from downtown Naperville, Centennial Beach is open daily from 11AM until 8PM or dusk through Aug. 15. Adult float is 9AM until 10:55AM Saturdays and Sundays.
Beginning Aug. 16, Centennial Beach will be open weekends only, with the exception of Labor Day when, weather permitting, lifeguards will be on duty from 11AM until 6PM.
Admission is $6 for residents and $10 non-residents. The cost for everyone is $3 after 5PM.
