Huntington Beach Elementary School Gymnasium and Plunge
historic place
The Huntington Beach Elementary School Gymnasium and Plunge, a historic place in Huntington Beach, was built in 1931. This neo-classical recreational facility, designed by Frederick Harry Eley, features brick and stucco construction. It originally included a gymnasium and an indoor pool, known as the plunge, both with high arched truss roofs. This complex was the first recreational facility in rural Huntington Beach to offer options for elementary school students. In 1933, the structure survived a significant earthquake that destroyed the adjacent elementary school buildings. Following the earthquake, the facility was temporarily repurposed as classroom space, with desks placed over the drained pool. The Huntington Beach School Board transferred the facility to the city in 1967. Now known as the Huntington Beach City Gym and Pool, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This building stands as an example of an early community investment in education and public recreation in Huntington Beach.