| Administrative History | In January 1850 Chester Corporation decided to assume responsibility for public baths and washhouses under the Baths and Washhouses Act of 9 and 10 Victoria, c.74, 1846. In March 1850 negotiations were begun to purchase baths and washhouses situated near the Water Tower which had been erected the previous year by a private Baths Committee at a cost of £1,200 (see W. Whellan and Co., Directory of Chester..., 1854, p.1268). According to the Post Office Directory of Cheshire, 1857, p.67, the baths, `commonly called the Chester Public Baths contain swimming and shower baths, varying from 3d to 1d'. However, Kelly's Directory of Cheshire, 1892, p.186, refers only to a public floating bath on the River Dee open during the summer.
The Markets and Baths Committee which was established by the Council on 9 November 1886 was responsible for building the Chester City Public Baths, which opened in Union Street on 25 September 1801. The architect was John Douglas (1830-1911), and the builder W M Freeman. |