The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-06-25
CRYSTAL. BATHS.
A Bathing Establishment
With a Good Record.
The Natatorium Emptied Nightly so
That Bathers May Have Pure
Water to Swim In.


| rel between the millionaire phianthropist
of Sutro Heights and the manager Of the
Olympic Club over the location of a pump
ing station for saltwater baths for the
club, which was so extensively aired in
the olumns of the daily press, a stranger
to San Francisco would be given the i'm
preston that hot saltwater bathing was
an innovation in this city. when, on the
contrary. San Francscans have in the
Crystal Baths, located on Bay street, be-
tween Mason and Powell. hot sea-water
bathing establishment which, as to man.
agement and appoin tments, ranks with the
best concern of the kind in the United
States, while it claims to excel all others
In the absolute purity of its water. The
superior excellence of the water is largely
due to the fact that the pipes were laid
under the direction of Mr.. Manson, Chief
Engineer of the State Board of Harbor
Commissioners, who had them placed
where they would furnish the best water
available. The suction-pipe lies at the
outer end of the Powell-street pier in forty
feet of water with velocity of seven
miles an hour, and the water is pumped on
the flood tide into the immense supply
reservoirs of the baths.
A reporter visited the Crystal Baths last
night. and on entering the natatorium the
| first thing which attracted his notice was
large sign calling the attention of bath
ers to the fact that the water gates were
opened at 10 o'clock and the tank emptied
at10:30 O'Clock every Dight. And promptly
at the hour named the gong struck, the
valves were opened and in the specified
| time the tank was empty.
| The manager was asked if II was a fact
| that the tank was empted every night, as
| some persons doubt that such is the case
a nj n a hut
who doubted it was welcome to visit the
baths every night during the season and
| satisfy himself OF the truth of this aSser-
| ton. Pure salt water has always bee
made a distinct feature of the Crystal
! Baths, and it is only by emptying the tank
nightly that water can be kept pure"
| The building is 160x120 feet and contains
two distinct bathing establishments. one
appropriated exclusively to hot sea- water
bathing, which Is one of the best in the
| United States. and is equipped with the
! finest porcelain tubs. one-half of which
! under the charge OF a matron AS the
ventilation of the bathroom is matter of
| prime importance, since respiration is
| Quickened by the act of bathing, con-
slant renewal of pure air is admitted into
the rooms by means of mechanical con-
| trlvaEce which prevents draughts. The
rooms are lighted by frosted skylights in
the roof and supplied with table. wash
stand and all the other appurtenances of
| toilet necessary for the complete dressing
room. Adjoining are number of COM
Dlnation electrlc-baths, which are highly
recommended by reputable physicians.
Perfect cleanliness is rigidly enforced
| throughout the whole establishment. The
| towels are soaked in chloride of lime and
salsOda, after which they are washed in
boiling water and furnace-dried.
The natatorium is supplied with con-
slant stan flowing stream of warm salt water
| The best medical authorities assert that
| hot saltwater baths excite the functions
| of the skin and tone up the whole system.
| The only caution to be observed is TO not
| remain in them too long. Half an hour is
the longest time the most vigorous should
remain in the natatorium. while half that
time is long enough for hot-sea bath.
With regard to promiscuous bathing
the manager of the Crystal Baths some
lew years ago set apart day for ladies
and advertised it extensively. The result
was that wives wanted their husbands
and young ladies their escorts, 10 assist
them in casa Of accident, and as that was
not allowed the ladies' day proved
failure for want of patronage. From this
IL may be inferred that promiScuouS bath
Ing in well-conducted establishment Is
popular with the fair sex.
The natatorium is under the direction OF
Professor George GotZe, an efficient SWIM
ming instructor. who is armed with tesll-
monias from some of the best people IN
the land, whom he has had as pupils.
No liquors are sold in the establishment
and none are permitted in the natatorium,
and both departments are open from 5 80
A. NJ. to 10 P. NJ. ON work days and until
P. NJ. on Sundays.
There are several lines of cars by which
persons can reach the Crystal Baths. The
Powell-street cars and the kearny- street
cars go within one block of the building.
while the Presidio and Ferries, the Cali
fornia and the Omnibus cable lines each
go within a short distance of the baths.
The price for swimmiug-bath is %
cents. or five tickets for 81.