Five in a pool, one watching
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Of all my photos of people in bathing suits, or at least all the ones I’ve posted, I think this is the only one showing people in a pool, as opposed to on a beach or by a lake. The water looks very shallow, so unless there is a deeper section, I’m wondering if this is a pool for recreation and sport, or something more like the rejuvenating waters of a health spa. I’m intrigued by the woman sitting on the side. She has a dog, which seems like something that wouldn’t be allowed in a pool today. Does she know the people in the pool (friend? chaperone?), or did she just happen to be caught on camera? If it was an accident of framing, she doesn’t seem to mind. By the way, this is a real photo post card. The manufacturer’s markings on the back (Cyko) indicate it’s 1904-1920s, which is a rather wide date range, and which I would have guessed anyway. I suspect the fully-dressed woman’s clothes would be the best guide for dating this.
Pics of Then 
It’s interesting how pool fashions have changed, by which I mean the column next to the edge and the thick concrete. It seems like it might be possible to locate this one based on that, but maybe a lot of pools had Greek columns; I know the Hearst Pool at UC Berkeley (designed by Julia Morgan) has Greek-inspired elements. They might have been mass-produced. Anyway, my first thought about the reclining woman’s outfit was that it would from the very beginning of your date range, but I was intrigued by that hat, and after poking around a little online, I’m thinking it might be circa 1910, rather than ’04. But I haven’t found a hat exactly like it yet–it looks like a giant 18th century mob cap, except dark. I’m catted right now, so I can’t get up and look at my fashion-history books!
Oh, I just realized I’ve posted at least one other photo of people at a swimming pool, though it was an outdoor pool. Anyway, yes, I was thinking the woman’s hat suggested an earlier date than later, around 1910-ish. Glad you agree. Interesting idea to search for the location based on the architecture. I was noticing the water seemed much lower than where the woman is sitting, which might make it hard to climb out. So I wonder if we’re missing a view of stairs or a ladder or something.
P.S. Interesting (for some) discussion here about hats and older women: https://thedreamstress.com/2012/04/hats-for-the-woman-of-50-1911/
Fun link, thanks.
Oh, there must be a ladder or something. What makes you say this is an indoor pool?
Hmm, I don’t know, I assumed it was a sort of grand indoor place like the Sutro Baths. But now that you mention it, it could easily be outdoors, too.