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Fact check: Which president added the White House tennis court and swimming pool?

Checked on June 21, 2025

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, two different presidents were responsible for adding the White House tennis court and swimming pool:

Tennis Court: Theodore Roosevelt was the president when the first tennis court was built at the White House in 1902, located behind the West Wing [1] [2]. However, William Howard Taft later moved the tennis court to a different location - specifically to the west side of the south lawn in 1909 [1] or further south in 1910 [3].

Swimming Pool: Franklin D. Roosevelt added the heated indoor swimming pool in 1933, which was specifically built for his physical therapy exercises [1] [3] [2].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question assumes that a single president added both facilities, but the historical record shows these were separate additions by different presidents spanning over 30 years. Key missing context includes:

  • The tennis court underwent multiple relocations and modifications - it wasn't simply added once and left unchanged [1] [3]
  • The swimming pool served a specific medical purpose for FDR's polio-related physical therapy needs, making it more than just a recreational addition [1] [3] [2]
  • The timeline spans from 1902 to 1933, showing how White House recreational facilities evolved across multiple administrations

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question contains a factual premise error by implying that one president added both facilities. This framing could lead to:

  • Oversimplification of White House history by suggesting these major additions happened simultaneously under one administration
  • Potential confusion about the distinct purposes and timelines of these facilities
  • Misattribution of historical accomplishments to a single president when multiple presidents were involved in developing White House recreational facilities

The question would be more accurate if rephrased to ask about each facility separately or acknowledge that multiple presidents contributed to White House recreational amenities.

Want to dive deeper?
Which president built the White House tennis court?
When was the White House swimming pool constructed?
What other recreational facilities are available at the White House?
How have White House recreational facilities changed over time?
Which first lady oversaw renovations to the White House tennis court and swimming pool?