Abandoned Outdoor Swimming Pool

November 8, 2006 12:06 AM

Traie Meangh is the name of an abandoned open-air swimming pool built directly between the ocean & the cliffs along the coast of the Isle of Man. Constructed in 1899, it operated until 1990, surviving briefly near the end as a fish hatchery. This Flickr photoset is the only collection of images I could find that do justice to the juxtaposition of sunny/nature setting & creepy/abandoned/industrial vibe that the place gives off.
posted by jonson (16 comments total)

Cool. I love abandoned places. Also quasi-abandoned places, like, say, Coney Island boardwalk in the dead of winter.

One interesting little bit: in the US, the norm for such signs is: "TRESPASSERS WILL BE PROSECUTED", as though it's inevitable. The sign at Traie Meangh reads "...AND IF CAUGHT, WILL BE PROSECUTED." If caught being the operative proviso.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 12:30 AM on November 8, 2006

I spent two days on the Isle of Man a couple winters ago. Bleak, cold place in the winter but I would love to go back during the summertime - on a good day it must be stunning. There's plenty of Irish, Norse and British influence all present on this tiny island, Vikings used the Isle as a base to raid both Ireland and England back when they were up to their mischief. I would have to say its a unique and special place, and the Manx are proud of what makes them Manx.

The "Man" in Isle of Man does not refer to men, but is a contraction of Manannan Mac Lir
posted by stonesy at 1:08 AM on November 8, 2006

My mother is from Man. And don't forget the TT races.

Thanks, Jonson.
posted by maxwelton at 1:16 AM on November 8, 2006

Great post. There was another outdoor pool called Traie Fogog just to the North of Peel on the West side of the island.

I was looking for a more recent picture (here) and was rather suprised to find it had been taken by my Grandad.

Small world. Or rather, small island in the Irish Sea.
posted by jimbaud at 1:49 AM on November 8, 2006

I'd heard of this place but, even though I've lived on the IoM for years, had never actually seen it until a recent summer walk.

I was struck by the same sense of desolation and creepiness - and it's really strange that it's only just down the way from one of the nicest beaches on the Island.

The IoM is really nice all year round - but yes, the winter can be pretty miserable... although there's still some stunning scenery.
here's a selection of some of my photos of Manx glens and stuff...

... and as maxwelton says, don't forget the IoM TT races - 2007 is the 100th anniversary, and it's gonna be one *BIG* two (or more) week long party :)
posted by Chunder at 2:26 AM on November 8, 2006

Great post. This brought back a lot of memories for me. My primary school trip (1980 - I think) was to Port Erin. I remember exploring the old pool. My friend's Frisbee got stuck high up on one of the cliffs and full of bravado I decided to climb up and get it. Our teacher spotted me and I nearly got sent home by way of punishment!!
posted by DZ-015 at 4:20 AM on November 8, 2006

I love that retaining wall, and in the link labeled "abandoned," the place looks like it could have been a Greek outdoor theater, yet tailored more to Shamu than a Homeric epic.
posted by RubberHen at 4:27 AM on November 8, 2006

Reminds me of the Sutro Baths in San Francisco.
posted by pmbuko at 7:17 AM on November 8, 2006

Up in Tynemouth, at Long Sands, they have the rock pool, which was an open-air swimming pool built in the 20s and converted in the 90s.
posted by Katemonkey at 8:23 AM on November 8, 2006

These are fantastic!

I took some shots of an abandoned waterpark in Las Vegas a while back, though they're not nearly as creepy.

Wet 'n Wild
posted by mmrtnt at 9:15 AM on November 8, 2006

pmbuko, I was going to say the same thing.
posted by GuyZero at 9:39 AM on November 8, 2006

Ditto on the Sutro Baths...I love that place, it's got that dark feeling of deep history
posted by Holy foxy moxie batman! at 10:36 AM on November 8, 2006

Neat post, I love this sort of thing.

I like how this sign is so precise..."we won't prosecute you if we don't catch you, but if we do...hooo boy are you in trouble, laddie!".
posted by biscotti at 2:59 PM on November 8, 2006

"My name is Ozymandias, king of kings:
Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!"
Nothing beside remains: round the decay
Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare,
The lone and level sands stretch far away.

posted by jenkinsEar at 8:53 PM on November 8, 2006

I have two contributions to the abandoned swimming pool meme. The Queen City Pool in Tuscaloosa Alabama (truly abandoned) and this pool overlooking the Columbia River Gorge in Corbett Oregon (closed for the season only). Nice post!
posted by jessamyn at 10:47 PM on November 8, 2006

Wet n Wild was abandoned? Oh noes! A good water park is one of the few things that can motivate me to put out that much physical effort.

I quite like the old ruins of bathing places I've seen in the UK. In Plymouth, they were jumping off the cliffs into the remains of such constructs. I was fortunate to have visted at a time of fasntastic weather.
posted by Goofyy at 1:04 AM on November 9, 2006