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“The Horrifying Warning From 1973: Don’t Swim In the Potomac River”

“Remember how bad the Potomac River was in the 1970s? Back then, there was a warning posted telling people not to swim in it. Check out this sign from 1973 recommending you seek immediate medical attention after prolonged exposure.”
1890 B&O Railroad Map
May 29, 1959. "Prince George Plaza, Hyattsville, Maryland. Night view." An actual mall (a long, open plaza) when it opened in 1959, the shopping center was enclosed in the 1970s and renamed the Mall at Prince Georges. Large-format safety negative by Samuel H. Gottscho.
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Remember how nasty the Potomac River was? Yes, it’s still not the greatest, but it’s swimmable in some parts (as long as you don’t have open wounds). Back in the 1970s, it was absolutely polluted. Check out this sign from 1973, recommending you seek immediate medical attention after prolonged exposure.

don't swim in the Potomac
don’t swim in the Potomac

Source: U.S. National Archives

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