Plano’s popular Texas-shaped pool has officially been designated a historical marker as of June 19, 2023.
The pool was constructed in 1961 and celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2021.
There are 34 historical markers in the city, including many houses, the Interurban Railway Museum, the original Plano High School and Plano National Bank.
While it is one of many of Plano’s pools now, it was so popular in the 1990s that local residents would camp out overnight to secure a chair or spot at the pool, according to Texas Pool Foundation Historian James Goldsmith. Now, the pool holds a spot on the National Register of Historic Places and is owned by the Texas Pool Foundation, which initiated its renovation and maintenance through volunteer efforts.
The foundation submitted an application in fall of 2022 for local historic recognition. A survey was conducted first to neighbors of the pool (1 opposed, 2 supported) and then to the city (4 opposed and 75 supported) regarding the historic classification of the pool, according to Local Profile.
After garnering community support and approval from the Heritage Commission in April, the planning and zoning commission and city council approved changing the zoning of the pool from single-family residence to a heritage resource designation.
“We are so grateful for the support of the Texas Historical Commission, the city of Plano and the city of Plano Heritage Commission, and the Plano Conservancy as well as local business, corporations and our community for supporting The Texas Pool Foundation’s preservation efforts,” The Texas Pool Foundation said in a statement, per Local Profile.
