what we do Our Project: as we map places and create tourist info page we may also create a page on history the history pages are slow to compile as it is not our priority, we welcome contributions AboutCity Baths and The Esplanade c.1905 After it was recommended that Perth needed a proper bathing facility, the Perth City Baths opened on 5 March 1898 by the then Mayor of Perth, Alexander Forrest. At the time it was a commonly held belief that the Western Australian climate required people to bathe regularly in order to maintain their health. Designed by G R Johnson, the ornate baths building was built mostly of jarrah, and described as a being a Moorish style of architecture with four towers, capped with cupolas. Inside contained an attendance room, two halls, two compartment baths measuring 86ft by 150ft, and a total of 62 dressing rooms. Another reason to build the baths was to prevent the antisocial behaviour of the larrikins who would swim naked off the jetties at Mill Point at Mount Liza, and around the spits in Melville Waters. The baths were approached from the esplanade by a jetty 9ft wide and 300ft long. Made out of jarrah, the baths were built by C. Nelson at a total cost of £2600. The banks of the Swan River were very muddy and the City Baths were built 91m from the shore in order to avoid the mud. However, due to a shortage of funds, the baths were not built far enough out, so mud and low water levels remained a problem. A few years after new baths were built in deeper water off Mounts Bay road in Crawley. in Crawley in 1914. The Crawley Baths were further from the city, but they had banks that were sandy and clean. The baths were partly demolished in 1917 and completely removed by 1920 ![]() City Baths c.1900 ![]() The baths were approached from The Esplanade on a 300-foot-long (91 m) jetty The Esplanade is a road between Barrack Street and William Street in the Perth central business district. It has been regularly confused with the former reserve Esplanade Reserve, that existed before the creation of Elizabeth Quay. It follows the edge of the Elizabeth Quay area that has been developed on Perth Water, and has had notable buildings and areas adjacent to its short route. The properties on the street include CSBP offices (now Wesfarmers House) that followed the demolition of the Esplanade Hotel, the Griffin Centre, and the Atlas Building. The junction with Sherwood Court shares the Lawson Apartments and with Barrack Street, the Weld Club. A second set of baths opened at Crawley in February 1914 were the premier baths for the City. Debate about the location had included discussion of the possibility of being able to see into the baths from Kings Park, into the change rooms. The Perth baths were partially demolished in 1917, and completely removed by 1920. Baths |
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