Fleishhacker Pool 2964546 202790584 2008-04-02T13:01:47Z Graham87 194203 add [[Category:Swimming pools]] and put it on top because that's the most important cat {{Infobox Historic building |image = Fleishhacker Pool house.jpg |caption = |name = Fleishhacker Pool |location_town = [[San Francisco, California]] |location_country = {{flagicon|USA}} [[United States]] |architect = |client = |engineer = |construction_start_date= [[1924]] |completion_date = [[1925]] |date_demolished = [[2000]] |cost = |structural_system= |style = | }} '''Fleishhacker Pool''', the largest swimming pool in the [[United States]], was located in the far southwest corner of the city of [[San Francisco, California]] next to the [[San Francisco Zoo|zoo]] for 47 years. ==Construction== It was built by [[philanthropist]] and [[civic]] leader [[Herbert Fleishhacker]] in [[1924]], and opened [[April 23]], [[1925]]. The pool measured 300 [[metres|m]] (1,000 ft) by 45 m (150 ft), held 23 million [[litre|litres]] (6 million [[gallon|gallons]]) of [[seawater]], and accommodated 10,000 bathers. The pool was so large the lifeguards required [[kayak|kayaks]] for patrol, and was used by the military for drills and exercises. The unheated waters of the pool were provided by a series of pumps and piping at [[high tide]], directly from the [[Pacific Ocean]], 200 metres away. There was also a diving pool measuring 15 m (50 ft) square and 5 m (16 ft) deep and a two tiered diving tower. ==Decline== After years of deterioration and absence of modern operational systems, the pool did not meet [[health]] and safety standards and closed in [[1971]]. Consideration was given to refurbishing and reopening the historic [[landmark]], but usage studies showed low interest, and the high annual operating costs could not be offset with the expected revenue. ==Loss of a landmark== In [[1999]], the San Francisco [[Zoological Society]] was granted ownership of the pool house, and it is not known what might become of it. The swimming pool itself was filled with rocks and gravel, with the space now serving as a parking lot for the zoo.<ref> {{cite web |url =http://www.sfzoo.org/openrosters/ViewOrgPageLink.asp?LinkKey=14106&orgkey=1900#fleishhackerpool |title = San Francisco Zoological Society - About the Zoo - Historic Sites |publisher = The San Francisco Zoo |accessdate = 2008-03-10 }}</ref> ==References== <references/> ==External Link== *[http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/S?pp/hh:@field(TITLE+@od1(Fleischhacker+Pool+++Bath+House,+Sloat+Boulevard+++Great+Highway,+San+Francisco,+San+Francisco+County,+CA)) List of 26 photos of Fleishhacker Pool at Library of Congress] {{California-struct-stub}} [[Category:Swimming pools]] [[Category:Demolished buildings and structures]] [[Category:Culture of San Francisco, California]] [[Category:Destroyed landmarks]] [[Category:Former buildings and structures of the United States]]