The Lido Pools / Palm Beach Pier
 in Palm Beach, Florida

Added: Sunday April 17, 2011
 

The Lido Pools started as "Gus' Baths" built in 1910, opened
by Gus Jordahn, who came to the United States in 1904.

Captain Gus Jordahn, was a exceptional swimmer, a Lifeguard at the
Breakers Hotel, and founded the "Cow Boys of the Sea",
a lifeguard organization that saved hundreds of lives over the years.
He was a former Officer in the Danish Army. He became the first Police
Officer in Palm Beach and his first arrest was of two men bathing in
the nude. Gus and others rode out the great hurricane of 1928 in a cellar
behind one of the pools. He served as a Commissioner in Palm Beach
as well in Palm Beach County. He died of pneumonia in 1938 at age 56.

Gus Jordahn is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in West Palm Beach

There is a plaque on the Palm Beach Seawall in Honor of the
"Cowboys of the Sea" across from where the Lido Pools used to be.

The Salt Water Pools as they looked in 1931.

An aerial view of the Lido Pools mid 50's, Pier at the Atlantic Ocean end
of Worth Avenue, The Everglades County Club on the left, The Colony
 Hotel built in 1947, Middle left, the Intercoastal Waterway at the top, and
the Worth Avenue Shops and Lounges on the right.

The Pools were Salt Water and had a tunnel that extended under A1A
onto the beach from the entrance into the pools.

On more than one occasion small saltwater fish, including small
sharks were caught in the surf on the beach and were tossed
into the pools by young boys. Who those boys were? ... LOL

The Lido Pools grew larger as the years went on with
Kiddie/Wading pools, Shops, A Restaurant and a Dance
Hall, Offices, Apartments and more.

In 1924, Gus opened the 1095 foot "Rainbo" Pier which later was
renamed the Palm Beach Pier. Hurricanes in the 67 and 69 left the
pier in shambles and the town of Palm Beach ordered it demolished.

Many a day and night was spent fishing from that pier....with great catches!

The Gulfstream came very close to the pier and many Sailfish were
caught while fishing from the end. Large schools of Snapper, Kingfish,
Bluefish, Mackerel, Bonito, Pompano, Tarpon, and Snook were about.
 

There were also plenty of Sharks, Mako, Hammerhead, Sand, and Tiger.
I remember being on the pier one day when "John "Jack" Von Der Ohe"
hauled up a big female hammerhead that was loaded with babies.

 

The Town of Palm Beach in later years was no friend to the common
folk and denied plans to rebuilt the Pier and took back the pier property!
To them it was good riddance to the people who came to the Pools
and the Palm Beach Pier.

In the late 60's the pools were sold and were also demolished and the
Winthrop House Condominiums were built. They are so ugly ......... !

A Clock Tower on A1A on the Ocean end of Worth Avenue - 2011

Entrance to Worth Avenue from A1A - 2011

Thank ...God,  I grew up in the 50's and early 60's and got to enjoy
countless hours in the Lido Pools, on the Beach and Fishing on the pier!

These are memories I will cherish forever !