Side A: The Central Avenue Public Bath House was designed by Frederic Betz, the City of Cleveland’s first appointed architect. Opened in February 1920, it served the Black population in the congested Central neighborhood. The brick building featured symmetrical windows and entrances at either end that led into men’s and women’s waiting rooms and individual shower rooms. Larger group showers for children were in the basement. The second floor featured club rooms as well as a physician’s room and a nurse’s room. In 1926, a swimming pool and gymnasium were added. In 1940, as the need for public bathing facilities waned, Central Avenue Public Bath House was converted into a recreation center. One of Cleveland’s five remaining Bath Houses, Central Avenue stands as a manifestation of the city’s commitment to the health and welfare of its citizens.
Side B: The Bath House Movement was a Progressive Era (1890s-1920s) effort to address public health issues associated with population density and often unsanitary living conditions found in large American Cities. Cleveland built seven municipal bath houses between 1904 and 1921, providing soap and a towel for $.05, and a shower for free. Many of the facilities also provided gymnasiums, swimming pools, health clinics, sports teams, and social clubs. Central Avenue Public Bath House (1920) was the city’s fifth bath house after the opening of Orange Bath House (1904), Broadway Free Public Bath House (1906), Clark Avenue Bath House (1907-1908), and Woodland Avenue Bath House (1914-1915). St. Clair Bath House (1920) and Lincoln Park Bath House (1921) opened soon after. A century later, five remain, four of which continue to operate as Neighborhood Resource and Recreation Centers.
