SecretLeeds - History, culture and architecture in Leeds

We used to go to Union street from school,they bussed us therebut I think we had to make ourown way home.Seem to remember olderkids/teens jumping off the balconyinto the deep end until someone stopped them.

York Road baths were where we were taken for swimming lessons from Leeds Central High School by the PT master 'Rags' Buckley. I did eventually get a certificate for swimming 25 yards there, although 'Rags' once nearly drowned me in the process.

Does anyone remember these baths - Cookridge Street Baths (from Leodis - lots of comments there from people who used the baths)17th November 1928 Also known as Oriental and General baths. Designed by Cuthbert Brodrick, costing £13,000 the baths were opened in 1867. With some alterations in 1882, they remained in use until finally closing in 1965. The site is now part of Millennium Square. This view shows the central entrance with notice for 'Ladies Turkish Bath'. There are separate entrance for men on the right, and women on the left. Posters extoll the benefits of 'sunbaths' for health.    

The Waterloo Baths - saw these on a 1850 map of Leeds just near Canal Wharf near the station - one of the earliest baths I've seen in Leeds

I recall Cookridge Street Baths though I don't definitely remember ever using it, but I probably did. It was a surprise to read that it closed in 1965 as I would have guessed it was in the 1950's. Memories can be very unreliable at times! (well mine is!).

Leeds Hippo wrote: The Waterloo Baths - saw these on a 1850 map of Leeds just near Canal Wharf near the station - one of the earliest baths I've seen in Leeds There's a little bit about these in the Lost Railway Stations.. thread where it turned up inrelation to the old streets below what is now Station platforms once where. You'll also find plenty around in the older threads about the Cookridge Street baths too.

Chrism wrote: Leeds Hippo wrote: some photos suggests subsidence was a problem. Yeah you can see that here. The Wortley Busk Colliery was on top of the hill on the Rec so subsidence from the mine was a possibility....From Asket Hill School (or Foxwood) we used to go swimming to Joseph Street of all places.......

Leeds Hippo wrote: The Waterloo Baths - saw these on a 1850 map of Leeds just near Canal Wharf near the station - one of the earliest baths I've seen in Leeds Didn't Public Baths start out as actual baths during some victorian public health push, with swimming pools following on later, then of course we now have just swimming pools and we no longer "go to the baths"?Could Waterloo baths be just baths?

The Parksider wrote: Leeds Hippo wrote: The Waterloo Baths - saw these on a 1850 map of Leeds just near Canal Wharf near the station - one of the earliest baths I've seen in Leeds Didn't Public Baths start out as actual baths during some victorian public health push, with swimming pools following on later, then of course we now have just swimming pools and we no longer "go to the baths"?Could Waterloo baths be just baths? I thought that was the case but the map gives Waterloo "Swimming" Bath - looks like an outdoor poolDoes anyone know of any earlier than this - the map is from 1847

Leeds Hippo wrote: I thought that was the case but the map gives Waterloo "Swimming" Bath - looks like an outdoor poolDoes anyone know of any earlier than this - the map is from 1847 United KingdomIn the late 1790s ritual and elite baths were available, but it was not until the mid 1800s that Britain's first true public bath house was opened. The original baths were used for individual washing and men-only swimming. It was not until 1914 that family bathing was allowed. The introduction of bath houses into British culture was a response to the public's desire for increased sanitary conditions, and by 1915 most towns in Britain had at least one.From that Wiki quote above, looks like you have found the first Leeds Swimming baths. I wonder if they were needed for people to learn to swim officially e.g. coppers or canal workers????