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.
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| Arizona. Bali-Hi Motor Hotel, Phoenix |
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| Arizona. Camelback Inn, Phoenix |
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| Arizona. Desert Rose Motor Hotel, Phoenix |
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| Arizona. Francisco Grande Hotel and Motor Inn, Casa Grande |
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| Arizona. Hitching Post Motel, Scottsdale |
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| California. Fantasy Motel, Anaheim |
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| California. Flamingo Motel, Anaheim |
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| California. Gilman Springs Golf Resort, Gilman Hot Springs |
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| Colorado. Driftwood Motel, Denver |
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| Connecticut. Ashford Motel, Ashford |
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| Delaware. Atlantic Sands Motel, Rehoboth Beach |
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| Florida. Apache Resort Motel, Miami |
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| Florida. Apple Gate, Fort Lauderdale |
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| Florida. Archway-Oceanic, Miami Beach |
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| Florida. Cocoanut Grove Motel, St. Petersburg |
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| Florida. Deauville Hotel, Miami Beach |
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| Florida. Driftwood By The Sea, Palm Beach |
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| Florida. Johnina Hotel, Miami Beach |
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| Florida. Royal Palm Motel, Clearwater |
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| Florida. Sea Dip Motel and Apartments, Daytona Beach |
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| Florida. The Sea Gull, Miami Beach |
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| Georgia. Ashley Oaks Motel, Valdosta |
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| Georgia. Atlanta Terrace Motel, Hapeville |
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| Hawaii. Outrigger Hotel, Honolulu |
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| Hawaii. Royal Lahaina Resort, Kaanapali, Maui |
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| Idaho. Bidwell’s Motel & Apts., Pocatello |
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| Idaho. Lava Hot Springs |
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| Illinois. The Spa Motel, Chicago |
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| Illinois. Town & Country Motel, Calumet City |
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| Indiana. American Motel, Gary |
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| Indiana. Holiday Inn, Vincennes |
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| Kansas. Townsman Motel, Norton |
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| Maine. Holiday Inn, Portland |
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| Maryland. Thunderbird Motel, Bel Alton |
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| Massachusetts. Colonial Statler Hilton Inn, Wakefield |
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| Massachusetts. Esquire Motel, Seekonk |
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| Massachusetts. Harborside Inn, Edgartown |
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| Michigan. Chippewa Hotel, Mackinac Island |
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| Mississippi. Bel-Aire Motel, Biloxi |
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| Mississippi. Buena Vista Beach Motel and Hotel, Biloxi |
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| Mississippi. Cabaña Beach Motel, Biloxi |
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| Missouri. Bel Air Motor Hotel East, St. Louis |
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| Missouri. The Chase Hotel, St. Louis |
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| Nevada. Wilbur Clark’s Desert Inn, Las Vegas |
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| New Jersey. Carriage Stop Motel, Wildwood Crest |
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| New Jersey. Cherry Hill Inn, Cherry Hill |
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| New Jersey. Colton Manor, Atlantic City |
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| New Jersey. Jolly Roger Motel, Wildwood Crest |
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| New Mexico. Ramada Inn, Albuquerque |
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| New York. Concord Hotel, Kiamesha Lake |
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| New York. Concord Hotel, Kiamesha Lake |
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| New York. John Milton Motel, Dewitt |
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| New York. The O’Neill House, East Durham |
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| New York. The Pines Hotel, South Fallsburg |
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| North Carolina. Parkway Motel, Asheville |
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| South Carolina. South of the Border, Dillon |
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| Tennessee. Brookside Motel and Ranch House, Gatlinburg |
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| Texas. Arrowhead Motel, Burnet |
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| Texas. Belvedere Motor Hotel, San Antonio |
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| Texas. Del Camino Motor Hotel, El Paso |
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| Texas. Fairway Motor Hotel, McAllen |
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| Texas. Holiday Inn, Fort Worth |
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| Texas. Triple DDD Motel, Wichita Falls |
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| Virginia. Beach Carousel Motel, Virginia Beach |
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| Virginia. El Camino Motel & Restaurant, Norfolk |