Figure 1.--Here we see the massive Sustro Baths in San Fracisco during the early 20th century. Many Merican cities had indoor baths, but this was one of the largest. Source: National Archives.

The construction of bathing facilities began in ancient times. In fact it was more common in ancient times than in modern times until the very recent modern era. The earliest civilizations developed in great rivel valleys. Here people had the rivers for bathing. But the first pools are believed to have been built in these river valleys. The earliest pool we know of is the 'great bath' built at Mohenjo-Daro in the Indus Valley. Archeologists believe it was built during the 3rd millennium BC. The pool measured 12x7 meters. It was dug out and then constructed with bricks and a tar-based sealant. Another anint civilization which built pools was the Sinhalese who cobnstructed 'Kuttam Pokuna' (4th century BC). This was a pair of pools in the Anuradhapura Kingom , located in what is now Sri Lanka. Better known were the baths of the Greeks and Romans, especially the Romans. These pools were used for athletic training, nautical games, and military exercises. The Romans also built imposing indoor baths for the public. Here people bathed as well as swam. The baths were an important social institution in Rome. Baths were built where ever Romans went, even on the outskirts of the empire, sych as Bath in England. The most imposing bath was built in Rome itself--the baths of Caracala. After the fall of Rome bathing went out of style in Europe and was actually considered unhealty if not dangerous, so obvioulsly pools were not built. Sea bathing began to revive in the late 18th century and this was eventually reflected in the construction of pools, including indoor pools. The first indoor pools we know of were in London. One 1837 report describes six indoor pools complete with diving boards. Indoor pools gradually apperared in other cities in Europe and North America and they were quite common by the turn of the 20th century. A factor here was the hygene of the working-class. The YMCA played an important role of building indoor bathing facilities. The revival of the Olympic Games (1896) played a mjor role in popularizing swiming sports which in turn encouraged the construction of indoor and outdoor pools. Clothing at these bathing facilities varied as widely as is possible. . Greeks and Romans bathed naked. Europeans during the mid-19th century Victorian era bathed in voluninous bathing costumes.

Ancient Era

The construction of bathing facilities began in ancient times. In fact it was more common in ancient times than in modern times until the very recent modern era. The earliest civilizations developed in great rivel valleys. Here people had the rivers for bathing. But the first pools are believed to have been built in these river valleys. The earliest pool we know of is the 'great bath' built at Mohenjo-Daro in the Indus Valley. Archeologists believe it was built during the 3rd millennium BC. The pool measured 12x7 meters. It was dug out and then constructed with bricks and a tar-based sealant. Another anint civilization which built pools was the Sinhalese who cobnstructed 'Kuttam Pokuna' (4th century BC). This was a pair of pools in the Anuradhapura Kingom , located in what is now Sri Lanka. Better known were the baths of the Greeks and Romans, especially the Romans. These pools were used for athletic training, nautical games, and military exercises. The Romans also built imposing indoor baths for the public. Here people bathed as well as swam. The baths were an important social institution in Rome. Baths were built where ever Romans went, even on the outskirts of the empire, sych as Bath in England. The most imposing bath was built in Rome itself--the baths of Caracala.

Medieval Era

After the collape of the Roman Empire, it was no lingrr possibke to maintain public bathing facilities. Bathing went out of style in Europe and was actually considered unhealty if not dangerous, so obvioulsly pools were not built.

Modern Times

Sea bathing began to revive in the late-18th century and this was eventually reflected in the construction of pools, including indoor pools. The first indoor pools we know of were in English cities. The first was built in Liverpool. One report describes six indoor pools complete with diving boards (1837). Th primary purpose was public health. A very small portion of the population of Europe's growing cities had bath tuns or running water in their homes. Parliament passed the Public Baths and Wash-houses Act (1846). Indoor bathing facilities gradually apperared in other cities in Europe and North America. Public baths began to appear in the United States (1890s). They were quite common by the turn-of-the 20th century. The principal factor here was the hygene of the working-class. The YMCA played an important role of building indoor bathing facilities. The revival of the Olympic Games (1896) played a mjor role in popularizing swiming sports which in turn encouraged the construction of indoor and outdoor pools. there was another purpose foir bahouses and that was recreation. We even see bathouses in beach resort areas. This occurred arond the turn-of-the-20th century as summer vcations became ijncreasingly widespread, esopecually beach vacations or at least seaside dau trips--all made possible by the new rail system. Beach bathhouses were facilties where day trippers or locals could change their clothes or rent a bathing suit. Notice the term bathing suit which is now being increasingluy replaced with swimsuit.

Clothing

Clothing at these bathing facilities varied as widely as is possible. Greeks and Romans bathed naked. Europeans during the mid-19th century Victorian era bathed in voluninous bathing costumes.

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Created: 1:34 AM 10/28/2006
Last updated: 1:34 AM 10/28/2006