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San Francisco has long been one of the world’s most beloved cities. Perched at the peak of the Peninsula, it’s surrounded by ocean water on three sides.
As ‘big’ cities go, it’s smaller at just under 47 square miles. Compare that to Redwood City, which is one-tenth the population of the “City By the Bay,” yet its 35 square miles is only 12 square miles smaller.
As small as San Francisco is size-wise, it can boast that it once possessed something that was the largest in the entire world.
Enter Mr. Herbert Fleishhacker.
Born into a wealthy family, Fleishhacker was appointed President of the San Francisco Park Commission in 1918 by then-Mayor James Rolph.
While serving in said capacity, he founded the Fleishhacker Zoo, which still exists today, although it is currently known as the San Francisco Zoo & Gardens.
Along with founding Fleishhacker Zoo, he played an important role in creating the Coit Tower and the Panama-Pacific International Exposition.
Back to the pool….
Situated next to the zoo on Sloat Boulevard across from the Great Highway, the pool measured 1,000 feet (just under a quarter mile) in length and was 50 feet wide.
Since it was only 650 feet from the Pacific Ocean, a series of pumps were used to fill the monstrous pool with seawater, which held over 6,000,000 gallons! A powerful heating system was designed to keep the water temperature at 72 degrees.
However, it actually varied between 65 – 75 degrees. While warmer than the ocean water, said temperatures are considered rather low for swimmers. Most residential swimming pools are in the 80 – 90 degree range.
Opening on April 22, 1925, it was considered the largest outdoor heated swimming pool anywhere in the world. Due to its immense size, lifeguards used row boats to patrol the huge swimming palace, which accommodated up to 10,000 bathers.
The pool remained in use for several decades. However, a lack of necessary funding and maintenance issues became larger and larger. It was converted to fresh water, however, pool usage declined, and in 1971 after 46 years of use it was closed.
Subsequently, it was filled with rocks and gravel for a time. Eventually, it was paved over and became a parking lot. While it is long gone, the one-time magnificent pool forever remains alive in the hearts and memories of thousands of locals and those who came from parts unknown.
Everything else is just history
