The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-06-22
BRANCH BATHS
DONATED TO CITY
Banker Places Deed to New
Building in Hands of
Mayor.
COMPLETE PLANT READY
Stone and Marble Ornament
Model Bathing Estab-
lishment.
COMPLETE PLANT RE

What Is claimed to be the handsom-
est municipal bathhouse in the United
States. located on tho south side of
Main Street. between Pine and Laurel
Streets, was formally turned over to
the city yesterday afternoon by John
p. Branch. the donor, and accepted by
Mayor Ainsl!e The establishment is
| complete In every detail. and will be
| ready for general use about the LIST
OF July Modelled after public bath
houses abroad and with an adaptation
OF the architecture OF one OF the most
famous buildings ct Versailles. the
new building and equipment has cost
approximately $4,000 exclusive of the
lot. The lot and building are gift OF
Mr.. Branch to the city of Richmond,
having been made on the same terms
on which Mr.. Branch several years ago
| gave the Branch baths at Eighteenth
and Broad Streets, which have proved a
success In every respect. and at which
| 52.652 baths were taken in the last
fiscal year.
Mr.. Branch Turns over Deed.
In presenting the deed OF the prop
erty Mr.. Branch spoke briefly, outlining
his desire that the baths should be-
come a real public utility In the sense
that they would be used by all the
people Mayor Ainsle thanked Mr.
Branch for his gift and assured him
that the people Of Richmond would ap-
preciate and use the gift and ever
honor the giver.
There were present Charles W. Hard
wicke. James Caskie. William H. White
and other trustees OF the Branch
Baths. which board will have the man
agement OF the institution with that
located at Eighteenth and Broad
| Streets Messrs Perdue. Seaton and
Chairman Grundy. OF the Council FL,
nance Committee. and number OF
! others
! John Kcrr Branch son Of the donor,
| who has given personal supervision to
the plans for the new bathhouse, and
| Rossel Edward Mitchell OF Norfolk.
the architect took the visitors
| through the building. explaining its
! convenient arrangements and com
! nleteness OF detail pointing ost many
! features in which improvements had
| been made over the arrangements in
| the first Of the Branch baths erected
! here.
Handsome md Completes.
The exterior architectural effect
! places the new bathhousc among the
most beautiful and substantial build
| ings In the city. The front OF lime
stone faces a small entrance garden,
/ giving an appearance Of neatness and
| privacy Separate doors for men and
| women lead into a beautiful main en-
trance hall, the full width and height
| OF the building. with two flights of
marble stairs rising to the gallery
| where the attendants office is located
! Entrance is had to the west 10 the
/ mems bathrooms and to the east to
| those for women. Private rooms are
/ provided. fitted with every conven-
| fence and sanitary appliance. the en-
tire bathroom being lighted by a cir
| cular art glass dome skylight. Rooms
| providing shower and tub baths ana
fitted entirely of white marble are
arranged around the sides
On the entrance floor are public
! lavatoHes for men and women, the
loca tlon OF the new building on Mon
roe Park having suggested that II be
fully equipped as public comfort
| station.
complete steam laundry will pro-
vide an abundance OF clean, dry towels
/ The boiler room Is equipped with
the latest machinery for supplying an
limited quantities OF hot water az all
times. The mechanical ventilating
system for the bathrooms is OH the
suction plan. and il is claimed Will
remove all vapor, steam and odor. and
at the same time keep the rooms com
Portable AT all seasons Of the year
Special attention has been given to
providing a building where no dirt can
| accumulate. All wood work is or
smooth. white enamel. and can be
readily cleaned. The building is fire.
| proof throughout. and is OF the best
type of modern building construction.