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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Medford gamer wins $6.6 million in e-sports competition ... Leveling the playing field for back-to-school supplies ... Making progress ... Medford gamer wins $6.6 million in e-sports competition ... Leveling the playing field for back-to-school supplies ... Making progress ... SINCE YOU ASKED Since You Asked: Medford Nat stood where Inn at the Commons is today Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Apr. 18, 2015 at 12:01 AM Posted Apr. 18, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News In the April 9 Mail Tribune 100 column, there's an item saying that the high school alumni will give a dance at the Natatorium. I think this is referring to the Medford high school, but I’m not sure. Can you tell us exactly where the Natatorium was located? Medford, Ashland, elsewhere? I grew up in Ashland many years ago, but I don’t remember anything about the Natatorium. The dictionary says a natatorium is an indoor swimming pool, so I don’t know where these kids had their dance. The only indoor pool in Ashland that I remember was Helman Baths, which no longer exists, as such anyway. Please clear this up for us old-timers. — Mary D., Ashland. The high school dance you're mentioning, and the Natatorium that housed the event, were in Medford. Also commonly referred to as the "Nat" in our century-old archives, it stood at 120 N. Riverside Ave. in Medford near the corner of Sixth and Riverside where Inn at the Commons stands today. It was opened in July of 1910, and was a large source of amusement for Rogue Valley residents a century ago. Archives note that it boasted a gymnasium equipped with horizontal and parallel bars, a rope ladder, vaulting horse and rowing machines, and of course, a "plunge," now more commonly known as a swimming pool. But it was more than a fitness center, as the Nat also had a billiards hall, bowling alley, barbershop, candy store, motion picture theater, dance hall and music conservatory.   The pool area would be boarded up for community dances, such as the Medford high school dance mentioned April 9. The last time the pool was open to the general public was at the end of World War II following the closure of Camp White. The Merrick family owned the property until 1953, and it was demolished in 1955 in order to make way for the new motel complex. Send questions to “Since You Asked,” Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected]. We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Apr. 18, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501