Public Bath House

[Mike Lamb]

Before indoor plumbing became code. 

[Jim Katen]

It seems oddly symmetrical. Were the separate entrances for men & women? 

[Jerry Simon]

Good ol' Mayor Medill

[Jerry Simon]

10 hours ago, Jim Katen said:

It seems oddly symmetrical. Were the separate entrances for men & women? 

"Chicago’s public baths were simple and utilitarian. Most were named after notable public officials. Separate facilities for men and women were not provided; they were simply accommodated for on different days. A waiting room was usually provided in a small outcropping to the side of the main building. The early bathhouses were built with very little ornament with the exception of the name of the bath above the entrance. Later bathhouses appear to have been built with more design in mind, but they were still very simple overall."

[Jim Katen]

So I couldn't bathe on Tuesday because a bunch of dames were using it then? 

Brings me back to my question. Why so symmetrical? 

[Mike Lamb]

On 6/25/2021 at 10:39 PM, Jim Katen said:

Why so symmetrical? 

I couldn't tell you.

It sort of looks like the same architect who designed the old Chgo firehouses. Unfortunately, my inspection was the building to the left.