Monday Memories: Beating the heat wave, one cannonball at a time

Toledo city pools were packed on June 24, 2002 as residents sought relief from a persistent heat wave. The highs stayed in the 90s for five days straight, but were several degrees shy of the record high for June – 104 degrees set on June 25, 1988. The swimmers crowding the Jamie Farr Park pool in 2002 were more concerned about staying cool than considering record temperatures. In this Blade archive photo, a boy leapt into the water, aiming for the big splash. The Toledo area has had its share of scorching weather over the decades. Residents endured a brutal week-long stretch in July 1936 that maxed at a record 105 degrees on July 14. The Blade reported that 55 deaths were blamed on the temperatures, including a grave digger who collapsed at work and died minutes later at St. Vincent’s hospital. Go to thebladevault.com/memories to purchase more historical photos taken by our award-winning staff of photographers, past and present, or to purchase combinations of stories and photos