Scenes of the City: Fleishhacker Pool House
This week, our Scenes of the City photo series takes us to SF’s Fleishhacker Pool, once the largest pool in the world. In its heydey, it held 6 million gallons of water and could accommodate 10,000 swimmers. It was so large that the life guards needed row boats. Fed by saltwater from nearby Ocean Beach, the pool was equipped with gaudy diving towers, swings and diving boards.
Fleishhacker Pool, taken in 1925, courtesy of a private collector (note the Pool House in the background left).
Built in 1925, the pool was the vision of philanthropist banker Herbert Fleishhacker. After several decades of high times, the pool succumbed to outflow drain problems after storms.
Now, the only remnants of the facility is the pool house (seen in the background of the photo above) that now sits facing the SF Zoo parking lot (where the pool use to be).
One sunny afternoon, I jumped the fence and headed toward the pool house.
Enjoy the photos.
All photos and copy by Joseph Schell
Over the years the roof has begun to fall in on itself. It now provides a convenient skylight. I made my way through the building, stepping over random discarded shoes, a tire, a desk and several unrecognizable belongings.
The building has become an open canvas for graffiti artists, a vandals playground and a home for feral cats and the homeless. In the north end of the complex, sections of the former men's locker room are now sanctioned off as one man's home.
Nonsensical notes scrawled on the wall, seemingly a one-sided conversation.
Fleishhacker Pool was a public saltwater swimming pool located in the southwest corner of San Francisco, California next to the zoo for 47 years. It was the largest swimming pool in the United States and it was said that it could be seen from space.sd card
By on December 04, 2011
I've used to kick it in here @ nite with friends ( In the mid 90's) 'we'd smoke and drink and just chill, anyways you could tell some crazy shit has gone down in that place...you get bad vibes.. energy @ nite in there.. we used to hear noises and see satanic shit on the wall... thanks for posting this.. I always wanted 2 know the history behind this place
By on November 18, 2011
The Fleishhacker pool and pool house were built in 1924 by philanthropist Herbert Fleishhacker. The pool was the largest swimming pool in the United States. The pool held 6 million gallons of water and could accomodate 10,000 swimmers. The pool was closed in 1971 with the pool itself being paved over by the San Francisco Zoo for a new parking lot. The pool house which was used by bathers at the pool remains on its original site today in ruins.
By on October 18, 2011
The Fleishhacker pool and pool house were built in 1924 by philanthropist Herbert Fleishhacker. The pool was the largest swimming pool in the United States. The pool held 6 million gallons of water and could accomodate 10,000 swimmers. The pool was closed in 1971 with the pool itself being paved over by the San Francisco Zoo for a new parking lot. The pool house which was used by bathers at the pool remains on its original site today in ruins.
By on October 06, 2011
Fleishhacker Pool, the largest swimming pool in the United States, was located in San Francisco for 47 years. The pool — so large that lifeguards used kayaks to make their way across — was also used by the military for drills and exercises, and was an ideal pool to host swimming meets and races. The pool holds fond memories for many San Franciscans, who to this day can recall when they swam in this colossal pool.
By on September 26, 2011
I love these photos! I can't imagine how someone can criticize them to an extent to dislike the photos. I think the main reason of the photo essay is to show the history of SF and the pool
By on March 23, 2011
these comments are absurd! These photos capture beautiful light shining on all the sad, run-down detail of this obviously once-awesome place. Thanks for showing me a place I never knew existed!
By on March 22, 2011
Thank you for revealing a SF underground treasure to the world. Bravo, you have done so in complete lackluster.
By on March 22, 2011
Creepy. Great photos! Thanks for the tour - don't have the guts to go in there myself.
By on March 22, 2011
*yawn*
By on March 22, 2011
great photos, had no idea this place existed. To the bad photo comments, wow. Must be fun to be such haters.
By on March 22, 2011
What is stunning about this? These are facebook quality pictures, with bad writing to describe.
By on March 22, 2011
amateur...if you're going to venture into the fleishhaker pool house at least take some decent pix...these don't do it justice
By on March 22, 2011
Stunning photo essay. thanks.
By on March 22, 2011
What a cool place. The scene is dying for some HDR, though I wouldn't dare venture in there. Too spooky.
By on March 22, 2011
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