Brea in Orange County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Brea Plunge

Photographed by Adam Margolis, June 5, 2022

1. Brea Plunge Marker

Inscription. Built in 1929, the Brea Plunge is known as the oldest continually operating municipal pool in Orange County. Generations of Breans have celebrated summer and learned to swim here with only a few interruptions. The Plunge closed for the summer of 1943 due to the nation-wide polio scare. Extensive remodeling was completed in 1989 so the Plunge would continue not only as a Brea landmark, but also as the place where many new generations could learn to swim.

caption left:
Models frame a mushroom shaped fountain in the 1940's.

caption center
You can still "get in on the fun" just as this circa 1930's poster declares.

Erected by Brea Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1929.

Location. 33° 54.866′ N, 117° 54.146′ W. Marker is in Brea, California, in Orange County. It can be reached from Brea Boulevard south of Date Street, on the right when traveling south. Located in City Hall Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 401 S Brea Blvd, Brea CA 92821, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles

and in the Peninsular Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Richard Nixon in City Hall Park (here, next to this marker); Many a Child (here, next

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to this marker); Ralph E. Barnes Bandstand (a few steps from this marker); Old City Hall (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); City Hall Park (about 300 feet away); Brea American Legion Building (about 400 feet away); Brea Veterans Memorial (about 400 feet away); The Humming Bird (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brea.

Photographed by Adam Margolis, June 5, 2022

2. Brea Plunge Marker

The rightmost of the three markers along the fence, at left.

<i>Brea City Park and Plunge</i> (same photo as on marker but without cropping) image. Click for full size.

courtesy of the Los Angeles Public Library, 1935

3. Brea City Park and Plunge (same photo as on marker but without cropping)

Brea Plunge Marker, 1929 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tatiana Zavala, September 19, 2024

4. Brea Plunge Marker, 1929

Brea Historical Landmark Located on west side of building near the doors

West side of Brea Municipal Plunge building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tatiana Zavala, September 19, 2024

5. West side of Brea Municipal Plunge building

Oval historic marker is to the right of the blue doors

East exterior of Brea Municipal Plunge image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tatiana Zavala, September 19, 2024

6. East exterior of Brea Municipal Plunge

Tile letters spell out "plunge" on the east side of building

Credits. This page was last revised on January 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 11, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. This page has been viewed 1,273 times since then and 79 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 11, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 3. submitted on June 12, 2022. 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 19, 2024, by Tatiana Zavala of Orange County, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photo of the plunge. • Can you help?