Stunning Vintage Photos Of Swimming In New York’s Open Air Pools In 1930s – Design You Trust — Design Daily Since 2007

Stunning Vintage Photos Of Swimming In New York’s Open Air Pools In 1930s


July 1935. Wading pool, Carmansville Playground.

“As you swim,” wrote Anaïs Nin,“you are washed of all the excrescences of so-called civilization, which includes the incapacity to be happy under any circumstances.” Nin wrote that whilst taking the waters off in Acapulco, Mexico, in the winter of 1947.

New York City was another place. “In New York people seem intent on not seeing each other,” she went on. “Only children look with such unashamed curiosity.”

So, how about stripping off and taking a dip in one of New York’s Open Air Pools? After all, swimming is good for the soul.

As Curbed writes: “In 1936 eleven WPA swimming pools opened in the city, giving New Yorkers sweet relief from the heat. The pools were feats of engineering for the time, plus each was architecturally distinct.”

You can see some of them here.

h/t: flashbak


c. 1960. NYC Parks Department Swimmobile.


1946. Flushing Meadows-Corona Park Pool.


1946. Betsy Head Pool.


Aug. 1, 1940. Red Hook Pool.


March 20, 1940. Betsy Head Pool.


Aug. 14, 1938. Red Hook Pool.


July 1938. Faber Park Pool.


July 12, 1937. McCarren Park, New York.


July 12, 1937. McCarren Park Pool.


July 12, 1937. McCarren Park Pool.


1936. Colonial Park Pool (now Jackie Robinson Park).


1936. Colonial Park Pool (now Jackie Robinson Park).


Aug. 20, 1936. Astoria Park Pool.


July 29, 1936. Astoria Park Pool.


July 1936. Thomas Jefferson Park Pool.


Aug. 20, 1936. Swimming contest, Astoria Park Pool, Hell Gate Bridge in background.

If you want more awesome content, subscribe to 'Design You Trust Facebook page. You won't be disappointed.

More Inspiring Stories

Spectacular Winning Photos Of The Astronomy Photographer Of The Year 2018 Contest
Taiwanese Elderly Couple In Their 80 Pose With Clothes Left Behind At Their Laundry Shop
Long Exposure Turn Budapest Trams
The Ultimate Humorous & NSFW Photo Guide Of Mormon Missionary Positions
These Photos Of Children Fighting Monsters From Their Nightmares Are Adorable
Rare And Beautiful Photos Of 18-Year-Old Freshman Madonna At The University of Michigan In 1976
Winners Showcasing Funny Animal Antics from the 2024 Nature’s Best Photography Awards
Disney-Inspired Princesses Painfully Project Real World Problems In Photo Series
Nemo 33: World’s Deepest Swimming Pool
When Eight-Year-Olds Worked The Streets: Lewis Hine's Beautiful Vintage Portraits Of Young Workers In America
Winners Of The National Geographic's Kids Photography Competition 2015
Vintage Photos Capture Lovely Moments Of Australian Children In The Summer
Dreamlike Photos Of Burning Man By Victor Habchy
Photographer Took 12 Pics Of Regular Chinese People To Stop Prejudice And Show That They’re Like All Of Us
16 Classic Photos That Capture Nylon Stockings' Allure In The 1940s And 1950s
Wasteland: The Mad Max Festival That Makes Burning Man Look Lame
Pet Amnesty Day: Exotic Animals Surrendered and Adopted
Ostankino Tower Celebrating Victory Day
Andy Warhol's Rare Polaroids Of His Famous Friends
Artist “Completes” Clouds By Adding Silhouetted Shapes To Them, And The Results Are Beautiful
1 Lighthouse, 365 Clicks
Breathtaking Pictures From The Epson Panoramic Photography Awards 2017
Serbian Photographer Exposes Stunning Photos Of Daily Life In Moscow, Russia You've Never Seen Before
"Flight Attendants" by Brian Finke