THE “BIMINI BATHS” NEW LOCAL WONDER.

In three more days Los Angeles will have, opened and ready for a world of unwashed, the largest bathhouse, with the exception of Sutro’s [in San Francisco], on the Pacific Coast.

This big enterprise is situated at Third street and Vermont ave, and is the property of Dr. David W. Edwards . . . [who] organized the Conservative Life Insurance Company . . ..

The undertaking has not attracted general public attention, probably because of its rather remote location; for, nestled in the eucalyptus groves surrounding the hills beyond the Westlake oil fields, it is out of the sight of most men.

By the Westlake Traction Company the place is easy of access, however, as it is but a few minutes’ walk from the First-street terminus.

Dr. Edwards is going to call his colossal natatorium the “Bimini Baths,” after

The grounds were once part of an oil field, and the mineral springs, which supply a constant, crystal-pure stream at a temperature of 112 deg., were put down for oil wells. The water contains a potassium and soda solution . . .

The building itself is located on Dr. Edwards’s fourteen-acre tract on Vermont, between First and Third streets. . . . The huge main swimming pool is larger than most people have ever seen, being fifty yards in length and varying in depth from two and one-half to ten feet.

Attached to the main building is a wing for ladies and children exclusively.

Besides these, there are a large number of individual pools in private apartments, for the use of invalids or such persons as do not desire to enter a general plunge. Many of the

Bathing excites a keen appetite, and for the hungry there will be a café annexed. Around the main plunge will run a balcony capable of seating 1000 persons. . . .

. . . tropical plants and foliage will be used. An arching roof of glass provides ample light for the day, and by night Dr. Edwards’s electric plant will drive darkness from the uttermost corners.

The grounds of the “Bimini” are well fitted for the improvement which it is proposed to make. Covering as they do fourteen acres on the top of a sightly hill, a beautiful park is a possibility and a prospect. A broad, smooth roadway . . . will be extended to the Hollywood boulevard. . . .

The plunge is now being filled, and the opening of the house will be one of the formal functions of New Year’s eve. . . .

Comments

Bimini Baths. When it was built, Bimini was at the very western edge of the city, which in that location ran down the middle of Vermont Avenue. The original structure burned down in 1905 and was replaced by the one in the photo at right. See story about the fire.

Photo from the Los Angeles Public Library.

Conservative Life. The company, according to Clark Davis, in White-Collar Life and Corporate Cultures in Los Angeles, 1892-1941 (Johns Hopkins, 2000), was singularly successful. It took over San Francisco-based Pacific Mutual in 1906, keeping the latter name. More on the company.

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