Metropolitan Park Bathhouse and Pool Historic District

What it is

The district covers a compact 1.8-acre parcel, roughly rectangular and measuring about 240 by 330 feet, set a few miles from the center of town. Three parts of it count toward the historic listing: the bathhouse building, the swimming pool as a structure, and the landscaped park as a site.

The bathhouse is a single story in the Spanish-Pueblo Revival style, with the adobe-inspired look found across New Mexico. Besides Five Mile Park, the grounds have also gone by the name Apache Wells Lions Club Park.

A bit of history

The bathhouse was built in 1940. Its architect, Trent Thomas, left his mark on other New Mexico projects too, among them the Valmora Sanatorium Historic District near Watrous and the Carlos Vierra House in Santa Fe. The Tucumcari park and pool were listed on the National Register in 1996, and they also appear on the New Mexico State Register of Cultural Properties.

Visiting tips

The park lies about half a mile from the old road but well away from downtown: the Baca-Goodman House site, the Arch Hurley Conservancy District Office Building and the Odeon Theatre are all close to 5 miles off. It is listed as suitable for children, so it works as a family break from driving. Nothing in the record says whether the pool is open for swimming, so check locally before packing a swimsuit. A short walk around the grounds, with a photo of the bathhouse, is enough for most visitors.