The Texas Pool – Plano, Texas
History
The Texas Pool was envisioned in 1959 when Plano was mostly undeveloped ranchland. Famous Texan Herbert Hunt urbanized the area that would today become Dallas’ Telecom Corridor. As a centerpiece for Plano’s new development, a 168,000-gallon pool shaped like the great State of Texas was created.
The Texas Pool was constructed from a design drawn into the Texas terra firma with a mesquite stick. It opened to the general public in 1961 and the Miss Plano Pageant was held at the Texas Pool that summer. Mr. Hunt named the surrounding neighborhood “Dallas North Estates” because he figured nobody would “know where in the heck Plano was.”
In 2013, the Texas Pool Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c) 3 corporation, was established for the purpose of preserving the Texas Pool facility and for community outreach. The Texas Pool Foundation is eligible for tax-deductible donations of cash, goods, and services. Through fundraising, the Foundation provides for the preservation of the Texas Pool and promotes community-building events with access to swim safety education. The Texas Pool Foundation sought a historic landmark designation for the pool. The Texas Pool is a vital link between Plano’s past, present, and future.
Texas Shaped Saltwater Pool
The Texas Pool is a 168,000-gallon saltwater pool with a shallow “South Texas” wading area for small children, a 10-foot-deep “Panhandle” and a “North Texas” island. Guests can swim from Houston to El Paso in about 3 to 4 feet of water.
Little Free Pantry
The Texas Pool’s Little Free Pantry is maintained by Texas Pool volunteers. Thank you to the North Texas Food Bank, as well as Plano West graduate Ethan Tong and others who have made it their service project to nourish the community. Every little bit helps especially during these challenging times.
Across the country, the Little Free Pantry movement is a grassroots, crowd-sourced solution to immediate and local needs. Whether a need for food or a need to give, the Little Free Pantry facilitates neighbors helping neighbors and building community. For more information, visit www.littlefreepantry.org.
Official Pool Elizabeth Swims
The Texas Pool is the official pool of Elizabeth Swims! Elizabeth and her family regularly visit and film at the pool for their popular YouTube channel, which now has more than 2 million subscribers.
Bring Your Own Food
You are welcome to bring outside food and drinks to the Texas Pool. Pack a picnic lunch for your family or bring burgers to cook on our gas grills. Not sure what to cook for dinner? Pizza delivered to the pool is perfect for a summer evening!