Bedford Falls' Bajillion-Dollar Pool

Please keep in mind that these pools were likely built during the New Deal era, meaning that funds were available for so many different types of public works.

Seriously, look at any of the buildings in your community that were built between 1900 and around 1970. Would any community be able to afford to build those now? All the marble, granite, steel, rought iron, leaded glass, etc. etc.? That pool is but one example, and is not a sign of largesse by any stretch.

I hate to say this, but I remember a local Los Angeles news station doing a puff piece about this pool. Apparently, there are schools that have had them.

Even though my high school didn't have one, I still got the heebee jeebees every time I walked across the gym floor.

My high school in Ohio, a private school, had/has one. We had, and still do, one of the best high school swim teams in the state. Gym class was a lot of fun on pool days. Plus we got to see the girls on pool day, even if they did have to wear a school-issued bathing suit. We'd sneak up in the bleachers and watch them and talk smack among ourselves. No way to peek in the showers, though. Besides the girl's gym teacher/swim coach was more trouble than a T-Rex when she got wound up, so we didn't push her buttons. She'd make that old gal on "Porky's" look like a kitten. I think she was actually a female Marine Corps drill instructor before she was a coach.

Hint: Never rile a lady coach who has bigger muscles than the varsity football team.