Public Bath House No. 2

Introduction

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During the late 19th century, public health became a growing concern in the United States. In the early 1900s, the city of Yonkers established the first of many bath houses in Westchester County for the purpose of halting the spread of contagious diseases. These public baths assisted in solving the health issues caused by a rapid population growth in Yonkers, such as overcrowding, poverty, and water that was polluted by waste.

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Backstory and Context

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Public Bath House No. 2 was erected in 1898 and followed similar pattern to its predecessor, Public Bath House No. 1. It was located in the center of an overcrowded district with a modest exterior in order to attract patrons of any economic status, and it allowed users to bathe without expense. The baths especially benefited the working class, most of whom did not have access to bathing facilities in their apartments. At its height, bath houses were used by over 140,000 people per year. As a result, the city of Yonkers had a lower death rate compared to other areas in New York. In 1907, the death rate in the Bronx was 21.1 per thousand, while the rate in Yonkers was 15.61 per thousand. This discrepancy can be attributed to the implementation of sanitation facilities in Yonkers.

Though the architect and builder are unknown, the building is an example of Romanesque Revival architecture owing to its brick exterior, round-arched windows, and simple moldings. Many of its interior and exterior features would become standard for bath house construction, including separate entrances for men and women, a two-story façade, and the division of the interior into three sections: a reception area, custodian apartment, and bathing room.

The bath house remained in service until 1962, when it was decommissioned by the city due to economic reasons. It was later purchased by the Mount Hebron Apostolic Temple and continues to serve as a church.

Sources

Department of Commerce and Labor Bureau of the Census. Mortality Statistics 1907. Washington Government Printing Office, 1909.
National Register of Historic Places and National Historic Landmarks Program Records. “New York MPS Public Bath House No. 2,” October 21, 1985 https://catalog.archives.gov/id/75315497.
National Illustrating Company. “Yonkers, NY - Its History, Resources and Advantages in 1907.” Illustrated & Descriptive Yonkers, NY, 1907.
Rebic, Michael P. “Yonkers and the Public Bath Movement,” n.d., 107–13.