Texas is known for doing big things in big style, and pools are no exception in the Lone Star State!
Due to the sweltering heat, pools are a necessity of the Texas lifestyle. What better way to cool off than your own backyard oasis, surrounded by the lush, tropical foliage that thrives in the mild weather? The warm climate that extends throughout much of the year means that pool owners can enjoy their investment for a longer period of time, getting more bang for their buck. Because pools are so popular in Texas, pool maintenance and contracting are offered at a relatively low cost.
Texas is considered one of the most “pool-loving” states, ranked with obvious choices, including Florida, Arizona, and California. According to the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP), Texas ranked third in in-ground pools and commercial pools in the United States swimming pool market in 2015. Below are a few examples of the value that Texas brings to the pool culture, from a rich aquatic history to innovative designs.
Historic Deep Eddy Pool
Texas’ pool history is marked by Deep Eddy Pool, a man-made swimming pool in Austin, and the oldest in the state. A historic landmark on the National Register of Historic Places, Deep Eddy began as a swimming hole fed by the Colorado River. Locals cooled off in the cold springs near a large boulder, where an eddy formed. In 1915, A.J. Eilers, Sr. purchased the land surrounding Deep Eddy and built a concrete pool, which would become the centerpiece of a resort. Deep Eddy Bathing Beach featured cabins, camping, and concessions, and offered attractions from mild to wild, including the diving horse trend of the 1920s, a diving baby, a zip line, a tall slide, and a Ferris wheel. The City of Austin purchased Deep Eddy at a price of $10,000 in 1935, and opened it as a public park in July 1936. Texans continue to flock to Deep Eddy to cool off today.
The Texas Pool
Another historic Texas pool is located in Plano, constructed in the state’s iconic shape. The 168,000 gallon Texas Pool opened to the public in 1961 as the centerpiece of billionaire oil giant Herbert Hunt’s Dallas North Estates. This new development urbanized Plano, laying the groundwork for the area that would become Dallas’ Telecom Corridor. The Texas Pool continues to be a landmark and gathering place for the community. In 2017, the pool applied for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places.
World’s Largest Residential Pool
The tradition of great Texas pools continues today, with notable pools that are either Texas-sized or Texas-shaped. The state boasts the largest residential pool in the world, constructed by our friends at Kuykendall Pools in Conroe. Located in El Campo and constructed in 2009, this behemoth features 500,000 gallons of water, a 500-foot lazy river, a 21-foot water slide, six waterfalls, and a 22-person spa. The family who built the $3 million pool graciously shares the amenity with their community.
Texas-Shaped & Texas-Sized Pools
The largest pool in the shape of Texas can be found at Six Flags in San Antonio, another half-million gallon pool. The Marriott Marquis in downtown Houston debuted its own Texas-shaped pool in early 2017, the largest rooftop pool ever built. Located 110 feet above street level, the $10 million project includes a lazy river whose current carries guests around the state shape in about 15 minutes. The river is 3.6 feet deep, holds 140,000 gallons, and, if straightened out, would be 510 feet in length.
This pool, along with JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa’s River Bluff Water Experience were named two of the best swimming pools in the nation by travel website Skyscanner in 2017. The 9-acre water park is exclusively for guests, and includes five waterslides, a 1,100-foot lazy river, and a beach-entry pool.
Market Square Tower Sky Pool
Another rooftop pool in downtown Houston, the Market Square Tower’s Sky Pool, made headlines earlier in 2017 for its daring design. The luxury apartment’s 40th-story pool features a section with a glass bottom, which extends out over the edge of the building. Swimming in the transparent section that juts out gives an exhilarating sensation of walking 500 feet above the city.
Whether you live in Texas, or you reside in any of the other 49 states, let Lyon Financial be your loan consultant for the best terms, the lowest rates, and a true partner until the construction of your backyard paradise is complete. Call 877-754-5966 today!
