Going to the Baths, Part 1 - Some History

We have a two parter today on going to the baths, and part one goes into some history.

It was the Turks who carried the Roman bath concept into modern times,

so I'm starting with this undated photo that I like.

 

France

This is a treatment room at Evian-les-Bains, France, early 20th Century.

 

Everard

Irish immigrant and brewer James Everard established the Everard Baths on New York's west side in 1888.  It was palacial by the standards of the time, and by 1910 it was a known gay cruising site.  It was ever referred to as "Everhard."  Sadly, a tragic 1977 fire killed nine men, and even though the owners rebuilt and reopened, Everard's closed for good at the height of the AIDS crisis.

Below, a photo from the New York Herald in 1905.

 

Berlin, Early 20th C.

This is the Admiralspalast in Berlin, early 20th Century.

It looks more like a gentleman's club than a bath

house, but the towels are the giveaway.

 

Savoy 1951

This was taken at the Savoy Baths in London in 1951.

The place started attracting gays in the 1930s,

but it was still a mixed crowd much of the time.

 

Going to the Baths, Part 2 - The 1970s

The second half of our bath house special features photos thought to be from 

the 1970s,the heyday of the phenomenon before AIDS came crashing in.

We start with what looks like a screen grab from a VHS movie.

 

Atlanta 1976

My source says this was the Club Baths Atlanta in 1976

What's with all the gear hanging on the wall?

It looks like a tack room for leather toys.

 

1979

Rod S. of Chicago sent me this photo of an unknown

bath house shower from 1979.

 

On the sly

I get the feeling this one was taken on the sly.

 

1976

This was supposedly made at the Club Baths chain 

flagship franchise in New York City in 1976.

 

Tubs

Some referred to the gay baths as "the tubs."  Actual bathtubs were not 

all that common, but I managed to find one in the picture avove.

I'm not sure if this was the cleaner or some eager bottom.

 

"There's always that one guy . . .

Mr. Scumbeast sent me this picture years ago, calling it "Back garden falls - there's always one guy."

Of course it immediately became a personal favorite, and I've posted it at least once before.

Today I'm adding nine more photos with that one guy in them.

 

Car wash

I think the objective here may have been to wash the car.

 

Happy Camper

The happiest camper here appears to be the naked guy.

 

Barracks Hijinks . . . Again

Our only indoor shot of the day features some World War II era 

Germans  having fun in the barracks.

 

Too modest

Too many camera shy guys in this one,

but it does fit my theme, so whatever.

 

Alfred

Why am I suddenly thinking of Albert E. Newman?

 

On shore interest

The point of interest in this one is on the shoreline.

 

Ablutions

Although the fellow at the center of our interest appears to be contemplating

 a swim, the rest of the group looks like they are doing their ablutions.

 

Arms folded

The exhibitionist in this beach group has his arms folded.

 

Reverse psychology

Our last odd man out today is one who kept his pants on.  He is, however,

distinguishing himself by tweaking his neighbor's nipple.

 

Name that Model Day III

It's name that model day, and we start with a man in front of an antique wagon, 

which makes me think that Bruce of LA may have been the photographer.

 

That look

I find this photo to be quite excellent

and the model's expression to be intriguing.

 

Looks familiar

This handsome fellow looks familiar to me, but I can't place him,

and neither could Google Images Search.

 

Triangular Torso

The unknown model in this scrubland shot

has one of those triangular torsos.

 

Pole

I was tempted to caption this one as a staff item,

but that thing is more like a pole.

 

Reclining

The right side background might be a clue for this reclining model.

 

Two angles

My source had photos of this model from two different angles.

Unfortunately, the focus isn't too sharp on either.

 

Angular

I almost posted this one during a recent geometry series,

but I saved it in hope someone would recognize the model.

 

1930s?

While the pose is not the most relaxed, the model still impresses.

I get a 1930s vibe from this one.  Perhaps it's the hairstyle.

 

Boxer

Our last mystery model's upper body was oiled for this boxing themed photo.