Swim at the historic pools in Warm Springs

The historic pools in Warm Springs, Ga., where President Franklin D. Roosevelt once swam, will be open this weekend.

Usually empty the rest of the year, it will be filled for swimmers to enjoy Saturday-Monday.

In 1921, Roosevelt was diagnosed with polio and three years later, visited Warm Springs for treatment in the 88-degree mineral water.

“Swimming in the warm mineral water provided no miracle cure,” said Brian Roslund, president of Friends of Roosevelt’s Little White House, in a statement. “However, it did provide Roosevelt the inner strength to reenter the political world and run for governor of New York and later the presidency.”

Roosevelt was able to stand in three feet of water unaided. The water provided buoyancy which allowed him to exercise for longer periods of time. He was able to move his leg for the first time in three years after being in the pool.

In 1925, Roosevelt bought the pools, springs and 1,100 acres of land. He also bought a Victorian resort. He spent two-thirds of his personal money to create the world’s first post-polio treatment center, the Georgia Warm Springs Foundation.

Roosevelt also started the March of Dimes, which help fund the foundation.

He also built a cottage, now known as the Little White House, which includes the pools.

The pools will be open between 9 a.m.-4 p.m. The sessions are 90 minutes long and only 80 people are permitted in each session.

It’s $20; $12.50 for children ages 6-17.

Call 706-655-5870.

This story was originally published May 22, 2012 at 6:58 PM with the headline "Swim at the historic pools in Warm Springs."