It was the summer of 1921 in South Florida and George Merrick had a dream. This Dade County commissioner and "back country" land promoter envisioned a perfectly designed city as an answer to the uncontrolled sprawl of an emerging Miami. A city of plazas, esplanades and fountains, filled with buildings and homes inspired by a heritage of Mediterranean design. With the help of other visionaries of his time, Merrick's dream became Coral Gables.

And today, protected by ordinances that preserve the past by encouraging restoration and revival of this community's historic places, the City Beautiful lives up to its name, existing just as Merrick planned it should be.

In the midst of one of Coral Gables' residential neighborhoods, hidden behind pastel stucco walls and wrought iron gates, is found one of the most special attractions of this special city - Venetian Pool. Perhaps the only swimming pool anywhere to be included in the National Register of Historic Places. Certainly it is the only swimming pool of its kind with its vine-covered loggias, shady porticos, spanish fountain, three-story observation towers and cascading waterfalls that spill into a free-form lagoon complete with coral rock caves and palm-fringed island. Even now, Venetian Pool would still put a twinkle in George Merrick's eye, as it did so many years ago.

Fed by underground artesian wells, Venetian Pool was once a quarry pit, its only value being limestone it produced for the construction of that time. Through the creative efforts of Merrick's artist-uncle Denman Fink, and architect Phineas Paist, this eyesore was transformed in 1924 to what was then called Venetian Casino.

During its heyday gondolas plied its waters. Esther Williams and Johnny Weismuller of Tarzan fame swam its length. The orchestras of Paul Whitman and Jan Garber serenaded pool side dancers as they swayed beneath the stars on outdoor terrazzo dance floors. Bathing beauties by the hundreds promenaded across specially constructed walkways, while visiting dignitaries passed through the circular aquarium room entry to tour the "world's most beautiful swimming hole." They often listened to three-time Democratic presidential nominee William Jennings Bryan deliver speeches for his annual fee of cash and Coral Gables real estate.

Today, over one hundred thousand visitors a year come to Venetian Pool. And three generations of Gables residents, together with their Miami neighbors, have learned to swim here, all captivated by the charm of the setting, and invigorated by the clear, cool water. For Venetian Pool is drained nightly in summer months, its 800,000 gallons of water replenished each day from the subterranean aquifer that flows beneath it. Recently this practice was scheduled to be discontinued in order to preserve South Florida's water supply for an ever increasing population. But, in 1988, a method was found that would allow the pool to replenish its water without diminishing natural resources by recycling the water, via natural ground filtration, back into the aquifer. This new technology together with a concentration on complete restoration of all the surrounding buildings and loggias will insure that this place of beauty will be a joy for many more visitors to discover, for many years to come.

A major historical restoration was completed in 1989.