Beaver’s Pond

Beaver’s Pond in Queen City was once the definition of the “good old days.” The pond no longer exists except in memory, but in its day, the pond had cool, clear, clean and spring-fed water.

Its play equipment satisfied old and young. For example, the pond had a diving platform. Out in the swimming area were a swing, ferris wheel, merrygo- round, slide and floats for sunbathing.

The bank held a wooden dance floor, juke box for music, picnic tables and refreshment stand. Later in its operational life, the swimming pool also became a skating rink.

In an interview, Allen Knight of Queen City said as a little boy he remembers the cars and the people in gay spirits going home by his house after the pond’s 10 p.m. closing time.

Later as a teenager, he and others would sneak back into the pond after its 10 p.m. closing to swim a little and play the juke box real low. There was only a single chain across the paved road leading up the recreation area. It could be negotiated.

John W. Beaver who owned the area first in the 1930’s and later Mo and Ruth Moyers who owned it till its closing in 1983 didn’t seem to worry too much about the after-hours use. Beaver’s Pond area was a part of nature after all, and young people spent most of their time out of doors then.

Fun-seekers came from as far away as Marshall and Arkansas. Everyone seemed to respect the entertainment opportunity.

Much earlier, the pond had been built and owned by John C. Hutchison and then Virgil Hanes. Both used it for a fishpond and stocked it regularly.

There were 17 springs in the general area, and three fed the pool directly, Moyers described at the time. Bricks had been placed on the bottom, so it wasn’t muddy. When tested by state officials, the water was always pure and healthy. Fences were built all around. Mo and Ruth took over the recreation area in 1953 and added the skating rink. A former Navy man, good swimmer and diver, Moyers was one of its most enthusiastic users.

Still, later in the years, the pond’s popularity began to dwindle.

Perhaps air conditioning and concrete swimming pools such as one then in the Atlanta City Park or those of individual homeowners changed opinions of what was a good time. Insurance and liability expense matters also surfaced.

Today, Beaver’s Pond is a memory. It exists but doesn’t exist. When the pond closed and was sold, it was filled in and land around sold for residential development.

There is a wooded area remaining in Queen City which seems to be overgrown and marshy. Here’s where the pond was old timers say. Perhaps those springs are still gushing underneath.

Today it’s easy to wish for the return of Beaver’s Pond and “the good old days.”