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Stunning Vintage Photos of the Swimming Pools of New York City in the 1950s and 1960s

The Cabot Street Bath in Boston was the first swimming pool in the U.S. When it opened in 1868, most of the houses in the neighborhood had no bathtubs. Several leaps in science and technology in the 20th century made swimming pools an even more popular option. The pool was supplied with clean water thanks to chlorination and filtration systems. Before these developments, the only way to clean a pool was to remove all the water and replace it.

The U.S. pool business developed with the invention of gunite, a material that allowed faster installation, more flexible designs, and lower costs than previous methods. In the postwar period, middle-classes became cheaper to buy, and there were also more affordable alternatives to gunite. Pool proliferation was accelerated even more by these factors. Above ground pool kits first appeared on the market in 1947, creating a completely new pool experience. Within a few years, single-unit pools would be sold and installed in a single day.

Below are some stunning vintage photos from William Bird that show the Swimming pools of New York City in the 1950s and 1960s.

#1 Hotel Nemerson, South Fallsburg, New York

Hotel Nemerson, South Fallsburg, New York

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Stunning Vintage Photos of the Swimming Pools of New York City in the 1950s and 1960s

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#2 Oehler’s Mountain Lodge, Kingston, New York

Oehler's Mountain Lodge, Kingston, New York

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Stunning Vintage Photos of the Swimming Pools of New York City in the 1950s and 1960s

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#3 Alexandria Motel, Alexandria Bay, New York

Alexandria Motel, Alexandria Bay, New York

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Stunning Vintage Photos of the Swimming Pools of New York City in the 1950s and 1960s

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#4 Bel-air pool, Glen Spray, New York

Bel-air pool, Glen Spray, New York

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Stunning Vintage Photos of the Swimming Pools of New York City in the 1950s and 1960s

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#5 Bird’s Nest Motel, Skaneateles, New York

Bird's Nest Motel, Skaneateles, New York

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Stunning Vintage Photos of the Swimming Pools of New York City in the 1950s and 1960s

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#6 Broadlea Pool at Academy of Our Lady, Goshen, New York

Broadlea Pool at Academy of Our Lady, Goshen, New York

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Stunning Vintage Photos of the Swimming Pools of New York City in the 1950s and 1960s

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#7 Captain Thomson’s Motor Lodge, Alexandria Bay, New York

Captain Thomson's Motor Lodge, Alexandria Bay, New York

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Stunning Vintage Photos of the Swimming Pools of New York City in the 1950s and 1960s

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#8 Charles and Lillian Brown’s Hotel, Loch Sheldrake, New York

Charles and Lillian Brown's Hotel, Loch Sheldrake, New York

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Stunning Vintage Photos of the Swimming Pools of New York City in the 1950s and 1960s

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#9 Children’s wading pool and main swimming pool at John Boyd Thacher State Park in the Helderberg Mountains, 15 miles southwest of Albany, New York

Children's wading pool and main swimming pool at John Boyd Thacher State Park in the Helderberg Mountains, 15 miles southwest of Albany, New York

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Stunning Vintage Photos of the Swimming Pools of New York City in the 1950s and 1960s

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#10 Columbia Resort Hotel, Hurleyville, New York

Columbia Resort Hotel, Hurleyville, New York

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Stunning Vintage Photos of the Swimming Pools of New York City in the 1950s and 1960s

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#11 Concord Hotel indoor pool, Kiamesha Lake, New York

Concord Hotel indoor pool, Kiamesha Lake, New York

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Stunning Vintage Photos of the Swimming Pools of New York City in the 1950s and 1960s

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#12 Downtowner Motor Inn swimming pool, Rochester, New York

Downtowner Motor Inn swimming pool, Rochester, New York

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Stunning Vintage Photos of the Swimming Pools of New York City in the 1950s and 1960s

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#13 Fun in the sun at the beautiful new pool at John Boyd Thatcher State Park, Altamont, New York

Fun in the sun at the beautiful new pool at John Boyd Thatcher State Park, Altamont, New York

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Stunning Vintage Photos of the Swimming Pools of New York City in the 1950s and 1960s

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#14 Grossinger’s Olympic Pool, New York

Grossinger's Olympic Pool, New York

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Stunning Vintage Photos of the Swimming Pools of New York City in the 1950s and 1960s

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#15 Hill’s Resort, Callicoon Center, New York

Hill's Resort, Callicoon Center, New York

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Stunning Vintage Photos of the Swimming Pools of New York City in the 1950s and 1960s

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#16 Hotel Brickman pool, South Fallsburg, New York

Hotel Brickman pool, South Fallsburg, New York

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Stunning Vintage Photos of the Swimming Pools of New York City in the 1950s and 1960s

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#17 Hotel Marcy, Lake Placid, New York

Hotel Marcy, Lake Placid, New York

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Stunning Vintage Photos of the Swimming Pools of New York City in the 1950s and 1960s

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#18 Huck Finn Motel, Horseheads, New York

Huck Finn Motel, Horseheads, New York

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Stunning Vintage Photos of the Swimming Pools of New York City in the 1950s and 1960s

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#19 John T Buckley swimming pool, Utica, New York

John T Buckley swimming pool, Utica, New York

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Stunning Vintage Photos of the Swimming Pools of New York City in the 1950s and 1960s

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#20 Kutsher’s Country Club, Monticello, New York

Kutsher's Country Club, Monticello, New York

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Stunning Vintage Photos of the Swimming Pools of New York City in the 1950s and 1960s

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#21 L & M Motel, Schenectady, New York

L & M Motel, Schenectady, New York

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Stunning Vintage Photos of the Swimming Pools of New York City in the 1950s and 1960s

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#22 Laurels Hotel and Country Club pool, Monticello, New York

Laurels Hotel and Country Club pool, Monticello, New York

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Stunning Vintage Photos of the Swimming Pools of New York City in the 1950s and 1960s

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#23 Laurels Hotel and Country Club, Monticello, New York

Laurels Hotel and Country Club, Monticello, New York

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Stunning Vintage Photos of the Swimming Pools of New York City in the 1950s and 1960s

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#24 Lido Motel, Monticello, New York

Lido Motel, Monticello, New York

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Stunning Vintage Photos of the Swimming Pools of New York City in the 1950s and 1960s

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#25 Man-Del-A Motel, Lake George, New York

Man-Del-A Motel, Lake George, New York

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Stunning Vintage Photos of the Swimming Pools of New York City in the 1950s and 1960s

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#26 Morley’s Motel, Ogdensburg, New York

Morley's Motel, Ogdensburg, New York

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Stunning Vintage Photos of the Swimming Pools of New York City in the 1950s and 1960s

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#27 O’Connell’s Fern Cliff House, East Durham, New York

O'Connell's Fern Cliff House, East Durham, New York

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Stunning Vintage Photos of the Swimming Pools of New York City in the 1950s and 1960s

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#28 Pines Hotel, South Fallsburg, New York

Pines Hotel, South Fallsburg, New York

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Stunning Vintage Photos of the Swimming Pools of New York City in the 1950s and 1960s

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#29 Pines Resort Hotel, South Fallsburg, New York

Pines Resort Hotel, South Fallsburg, New York

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Stunning Vintage Photos of the Swimming Pools of New York City in the 1950s and 1960s

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#30 Po’Keepsie Motor Hotel, Poughkeepsie, New York

Po'Keepsie Motor Hotel, Poughkeepsie, New York

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Stunning Vintage Photos of the Swimming Pools of New York City in the 1950s and 1960s

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#31 Raleigh pool, So Fallsburg, New York

Raleigh pool, So Fallsburg, New York

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Stunning Vintage Photos of the Swimming Pools of New York City in the 1950s and 1960s

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#32 Swimming in the municipal pool, Prospect Park, Troy, New York

Swimming in the municipal pool, Prospect Park, Troy, New York

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Stunning Vintage Photos of the Swimming Pools of New York City in the 1950s and 1960s

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#33 Tamarack Lodge, Greenfield Park, New York

Tamarack Lodge, Greenfield Park, New York

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Stunning Vintage Photos of the Swimming Pools of New York City in the 1950s and 1960s

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#34 Waikiki Indoor Pool, Nevele Country Club, Ellenville, New York

Waikiki Indoor Pool, Nevele Country Club, Ellenville, New York

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Stunning Vintage Photos of the Swimming Pools of New York City in the 1950s and 1960s

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#35 Windsor Hotel indoor pool, So Fallsburg, New York

Windsor Hotel indoor pool, So Fallsburg, New York

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Stunning Vintage Photos of the Swimming Pools of New York City in the 1950s and 1960s

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Written by Aung Budhh

Husband + Father + librarian + Poet + Traveler + Proud Buddhist. I love you with the breath, the smiles and the tears of all my life.

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