Rafter's Park meant SWIMMING when I was growing up and I'm sure it still does to the kids living in Holton.
The land for the park was donated by the Rafter family, who were another of the many families who helped build and develop Holton in the late 19th century.
The original swimming pool was built as a WPA project in 1938. My grandfather helped with the construction. The unique design included a concrete island near the center of the deep end with a low level and a high dive on top. The bathhouse was also designed to serve as a fallout shelter. In the mid-1980s, due to shifting caused by an underground spring, the concrete island was removed and the pool was remodeled.
The park has also been the home of fireworks displays during 4th of July celebrations, Easter egg hunts, baseball games, sledding on "snow days" and numerous family reunions.
Holton Swimming Pool with tower before remodel