WHAT HAPPEND TO CRISTAL PLUNGE? WAS IT TORN DOWN? WHEN, WHAT'S IN IT'S PLACE? WHEN WAS IT BUILT? WHO OWNED IT. GIVE ME YOUR ALL. THANKS. DAN

-- Dan Hastings (danrooster@mlode.com), January 28, 2004

Answers

Located at 775 Lombard Street, it opened in 1924 by Edward Cerruti, and was originally called the Crystal Palace Salt Water Baths. Its name was changed to the Crystal Plunge in 1933. The Crystal pool held about 300,000 gallons of salt water which was pumped in from a pier near Fisherman's Wharf. The Crystal Plunge never made a profit and in spite of Cerruti's many years of leasing it out to people who he hoped would be more successful than he, it was eventually condemned by building inspectors and closed in 1956. The property was sold by Mrs. Cerruti, for $120,000 and the empty building was demolished in 1958. I hope this helps.

If you would like further information about the Crystal Plunge, I suggest you read Jerry Flamm's book "Good Life in Hard Times". He has several pages and one photo dedicated to the Crystal Plunge.

-- Michael Binetti (mbinetti@boldata.com), January 28, 2004.

I learned how to swim at this pool. The man who taught me how to swim was Charlie Sava. I have been trying to obtain a picture of this building or pool, for many years. Could use any info.

thanks, Marcel

-- marcel feibusch (feibusch58@attbi.com), April 10, 2004.

If anyone has any new information, please contact me at my new e-mail address. Thanks, Marcel Feibusch

-- marcel feibusch (feibusch58@comcast.net), December 20, 2004.