Vintage Postcards Show Swimming Pools in the U.S. in the 1950s and ’60s_TRUNGKP2

The United States saw its first swimming pool is 1868 at the Cabot Street Bath in Boston. Though not a “pool” in today’s sense of the word, it was built to serve a neighborhood where most could not afford homes with baths.

In 1907, Philadelphia saw the U.S.’s first above ground swimming pool. This pool was built at a club known as the Philadelphia Racket. Soon after, in 1910, the first major technological advancement in modern swimming pools came about. The use of sanitation and filtration methods in swimming pools was a modern marvel. Prior to these advancements, pool water could only be cleaned by replacing the dirty water with fresh water.
Home swimming pools became popular in the United States after World War II and the publicity given to swimming sports by Hollywood films such as Esther Williams’ Million Dollar Mermaid made a home pool a desirable status symbol. More than 50 years later, the home or residential swimming pool is a common sight.

Here below is a set of vintage postcards that shows what swimming pools looked like in the United States in the 1950s and 1960s.

Arizona. Bali-Hi Motor Hotel, Phoenix

 

Arizona. Camelback Inn, Phoenix

 

Arizona. Desert Rose Motor Hotel, Phoenix

 

Arizona. Francisco Grande Hotel and Motor Inn, Casa Grande

 

Arizona. Hitching Post Motel, Scottsdale

 

California. Fantasy Motel, Anaheim

 

California. Flamingo Motel, Anaheim

 

California. Gilman Springs Golf Resort, Gilman Hot Springs

 

Colorado. Driftwood Motel, Denver

 

Connecticut. Ashford Motel, Ashford

 

Delaware. Atlantic Sands Motel, Rehoboth Beach

 

Florida. Apache Resort Motel, Miami

 

Florida. Apple Gate, Fort Lauderdale

 

Florida. Archway-Oceanic, Miami Beach

 

Florida. Cocoanut Grove Motel, St. Petersburg

 

Florida. Deauville Hotel, Miami Beach

 

Florida. Driftwood By The Sea, Palm Beach

 

Florida. Johnina Hotel, Miami Beach

 

Florida. Royal Palm Motel, Clearwater

 

Florida. Sea Dip Motel and Apartments, Daytona Beach

 

Florida. The Sea Gull, Miami Beach

 

Georgia. Ashley Oaks Motel, Valdosta

 

Georgia. Atlanta Terrace Motel, Hapeville

 

Hawaii. Outrigger Hotel, Honolulu

 

Hawaii. Royal Lahaina Resort, Kaanapali, Maui

 

Idaho. Bidwell’s Motel & Apts., Pocatello

 

Idaho. Lava Hot Springs

 

Illinois. The Spa Motel, Chicago

 

Illinois. Town & Country Motel, Calumet City

 

Indiana. American Motel, Gary

 

Indiana. Holiday Inn, Vincennes

 

Kansas. Townsman Motel, Norton

 

Maine. Holiday Inn, Portland

 

Maryland. Thunderbird Motel, Bel Alton

 

Massachusetts. Colonial Statler Hilton Inn, Wakefield

 

Massachusetts. Esquire Motel, Seekonk

 

Massachusetts. Harborside Inn, Edgartown

 

Michigan. Chippewa Hotel, Mackinac Island

 

Mississippi. Bel-Aire Motel, Biloxi

 

Mississippi. Buena Vista Beach Motel and Hotel, Biloxi

 

Mississippi. Cabaña Beach Motel, Biloxi

 

Missouri. Bel Air Motor Hotel East, St. Louis

 

Missouri. The Chase Hotel, St. Louis

 

Nevada. Wilbur Clark’s Desert Inn, Las Vegas

 

New Jersey. Carriage Stop Motel, Wildwood Crest

 

New Jersey. Cherry Hill Inn, Cherry Hill

 

New Jersey. Colton Manor, Atlantic City

 

New Jersey. Jolly Roger Motel, Wildwood Crest

 

New Mexico. Ramada Inn, Albuquerque

 

New York. Concord Hotel, Kiamesha Lake

 

New York. Concord Hotel, Kiamesha Lake

 

New York. John Milton Motel, Dewitt

 

New York. The O’Neill House, East Durham

 

New York. The Pines Hotel, South Fallsburg

 

North Carolina. Parkway Motel, Asheville

 

South Carolina. South of the Border, Dillon

 

Tennessee. Brookside Motel and Ranch House, Gatlinburg

 

Texas. Arrowhead Motel, Burnet

 

Texas. Belvedere Motor Hotel, San Antonio

 

Texas. Del Camino Motor Hotel, El Paso

 

Texas. Fairway Motor Hotel, McAllen

 

Texas. Holiday Inn, Fort Worth

 

Texas. Triple DDD Motel, Wichita Falls

 

Virginia. Beach Carousel Motel, Virginia Beach

 

Virginia. El Camino Motel & Restaurant, Norfolk

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