Hearst's swimming pools drew their inspiration from Roman baths. This second version of the pool, a substantial enlargement, was created in 1926-1927.
This version had a series of concrete steps at the southern side called the Cascade, down which water flowed.
The Neptune and Nereid statues, presently in the temple pediment, then stood at the top of the Cascade.
Eight marble statues were carved starting in 1930 by Carlo Freter working in Pietrasanta, Italy,
based roughly on ancient Greek and Roman statues,such as one original bronze statue ofthe Greek sculptor Lysippos c. 320 B.C.E.
Charles Cassou also sculpted a group of statues based on Neptune and Venus to decorate the near Olympic-sized outdoor pool, designed by Julia Morgan.
http://www.hearstcastle.com/history/pools.asp