The San Francisco call., 1910-01-07

NEW NATAI0RIUMIS
MODELOF COMFORT
LurIine Baths Erected at Bush
and Larkin Streets Will Be
Opened This Evening
General Invitation Issued for
Free Inspection OF Big
Modern Bathhouse

With the reopening of the Lurline
baths, at the corner of Bush and Lar
kin streets, tomorrow morning, San
baths in the United States. That the
public may appreciate this fact. the
building Will be thrown open tonight
from TO 10 o'clock for free inspection.
The Lurline baths have become a fea-
ture of San Francisco which even the
fire of 1906 could not efface. The baths
were first built about 16 years ago, the
structure being of wood. With the
passing of that building, the Olympic
salt water company took up the propo-
sition of re-establishing the baths in a
modern building.
The big bathhouse which has just
been completed cost $150,000. The
equipment is complete and of the latest.
General Superintendent c. c. Pryor has
arranged every convenience for the
patrons of the institution.
LIKE OLD ROMAN BATHS
Pompeiian architecture has been fol-
lowed in the construction of the baths.
The old Roman baths are strongly sug
gested. The building is of reinforced
concrete with large glazed WINDOWS set
between the half pillars used in the
exterior decoration.
The plunge, with its slides and other
equipment, is unusually attractive. 1t
is So by 140 feet, the depth varying
from two to nine and half feet. The
interior is artistic from an architectural
point of view.
In addition to the big plunge, there
are 103 tub rooms supplied with hot
and cold fresh and salt water. There.
is shower in each tub room. The
partitions are of cement and the drain
ing of the floor is along the most sani-
tary lines. There are $50 dressing
rooms. those for the men being sep
arated from those for the women.
ELECTRICA MASSAGE PARLORS
Elaborate massage parlors for men
and women fitted with modern electric
and steam cabinets, and steam rooms
have been installed. A barber shop will
also be operated in the baths
The intake for the salt water is at
the Great highway, just below the
Cliff house. The power plant for the
baths consist of three 100 horsepower
boilers There is an independent cleo
trio plant with two 35 kiiowatt tur-
bines. a laundry is also operated in the
baths.
An important feature of the institu-
tion is the filtration plant. All water
used in the baths is to be filtered Water
from the mains will pass through the
filter then to the heater and on to
the deep end of the plunge. It will be
drawn off al the shallow end and re-
turned to the filter, sufficient water be-
ing taken from the mains to keep the
water to the proper level at all times.
The cost of this one feature was $4,000.
1t is planned By General Superintend-
ent Pryor to reserve the use of the
natatorium for women and girls Tues
day and Friday mornings. from 9
o'clock until noon. beginning tomor-
row. the baths will he kept open to the
public from a. m. until 10 p. M,
daily.
The finishing touches were being
made yesterday at the great establish
ment. Hundreds of dozens of towels
were being received and natty new
bathing suits were being arranged for
the opening of the baths to the public.
tomorrow morning. Early in the after
noon the water was turned INTO the
tank and filled the huge receptacle in
about two hours.
Lovers of natatoriai sport will well
come the reopening of the Lurline
baths. They win again have an oppor-
tunity to enjoy a plunge almost in the
center of the residential district of the
city.