Aquatic Park
Bicycles, Aquatic Park, 2005 Photograph by Robert Dawson
Description
Originally the San Francisco Aquatic Park, this area is now officially the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. The Park’s distinctive streamline moderne style WPA building (pictured below) stands at the foot of Polk Street. It was originally built as a public bathhouse, and now houses the Maritime Museum.
SA description from Healy’s 1939 work reads:
‘(32 Acres) … A water park, par excellence. … Built 3,250 cubic yards of rubble sea wall, bath house, 2 boat houses, paved 101,000 square feet of promenades. Handled 20,000 cubic yards of excavation and fill, relocated 1,400 lineal feet of railroad track, installed flood light system for night bathing, rowing and water pageants. This improvement changed an unsightly area into a beautiful bathing beach bordered by massive concrete grandstands and promenades. The recreation building, lavishly decorated, is an architectural highlight in nautical building design. At the famous watering places there is nothing comparable to this public recreational asset. the spectacular ‘Landing of Columbus’ was a memorable occasion for thousands of observers and promises to be repeated annually.’–Healy, pp. 55-56.
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WPA marker outside of the main entrance
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“General view, from West End, of Aquatic Park. Official project No. 465-03-2-669.”
West End of Aquatic Park
"General view, from West End, of Aquatic Park. Official project No. 465-03-2-669."
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West End of Aquatic Park verso
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Aquatic Park - 2
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Aquatic Park Under Construction
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“East End view of Aquatic Park. Official project No. 465-03-2-669.”
East End view of Aquatic Park - verso
"East End view of Aquatic Park. Official project No. 465-03-2-669."
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Flickr photo by Lee Sutton
San Francisco Maritime Museum
Flickr photo by Lee Sutton
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“Aeroplane View of Aquatic Park. Official project No. 465-03-2- 669.”
Aeroplane View of Aquatic Park
"Aeroplane View of Aquatic Park. Official project No. 465-03-2- 669."
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Flickr photo by Lee Sutton.
San Francisco Maritime Museum - 3
Flickr photo by Lee Sutton.
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Aeroplane View of Aquatic Park - Verso
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Aquatic Park Main Entrance
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“Sea Wall for Aquatic Park – San Francisco Calif.”
Sea Wall for Aquatic Park
"Sea Wall for Aquatic Park - San Francisco Calif."
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Aquatic Park - 4
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“Front view, East end. Aquatic Park. Official project No. 465-03-2-669.”
Front view, East end. Aquatic Park
"Front view, East end. Aquatic Park. Official project No. 465-03-2-669."
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Aquatic Park Sea Wall
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Interior view of Aquatic Park
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Aquatic Park Announcers' Tower
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Club House, North side—Aquatic Park built by WPA. Project No. 465-03-2-669.
Club House, North side
Club House, North side---Aquatic Park built by WPA. Project No. 465-03-2-669.
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Aquatic Park with Bathers
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Aquatic Park Dedication
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Aquatic Park Dedication Ceremony
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Dedication of Aquatic Park. Official Project No. 466-03-2-669.
Dedication of Aquatic Park
Dedication of Aquatic Park. Official Project No. 466-03-2-669.
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Aquatic Park Dedication Ceremony - 5
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Southeast End of Aquatic Park Building
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Aquatic Park with Sunbathers
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Aquatic Park with Sunbathers Verso
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Front View of Aquatic Park
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Front View of Aquatic Park Verso
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Model of Aquatic Park
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Aquatic Park WPA Marker
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Aquatic Park Sargent Johnson Reliefs
Project Details
| Federal Cost | Local Cost | Total Cost | Project #'s |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1839644 |
Source notes
Healy, Clyde E. San Francisco Improved: Report of Clyde E. Healy, Assistant City Engineer - City of San Francisco and Coordinator of W.P.A. Projects, Period October 10, 1935 to August 31, 1939. San Francisco : [s.n.]., 1939.
We welcome contributions of additional information on any New Deal project site.
SUBMIT MORE INFORMATION OR PHOTOGRAPHS FOR THIS SITE
Is the long curving pier- which I call a “breakwater” though I’m not sure if that’s the proper term- which makes the cove, included in the above project description?
Yes, we believe it is.
The Announcer Towers. Did they hold large speakers? They were for people were they?