Goderich in Huron County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Captains Babb’s Bathing House

— Goderich Marine Heritage Walkway —

Photographed by Tim Boyd, August 22, 2025

1. Captains Babb’s Bathing House Marker

Inscription. Adjacent to the waterfront, as part of the Ocean House hotel complex operated by Captain William Babb, was a bathing house very close to the shoreline. It was placed there for the convenience of swimmers and sunbathers who could change attire without returning to the hotel located further east beside the mineral springs. (Babb attributed great healing qualities to the sour smelling waters in the artesian well which is still running today.)

The bathing house location must have made it susceptible to fall and winter storm damage with heavy waves crashing against the shore. A more permanent bathing house was located in a green building along the south pier, originally constructed as a freight shed for the CPR. It is not clear how long Babb's bathing house remained in place after 1910.

The postcard image below shows the bathing house and a young family enjoying a sail on a locally built 'Huron' two-masted sailboat, normally used for commercial fishing in earlier years.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1910.

Location. 43° 44.628′ N, 81° 43.563′ W.

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Marker is in Goderich, Ontario, in Huron County. It is on Cove Road 0.1 kilometers south of Harbour Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2 Beach Street, Goderich ON N7A 4J8, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Huron-Perth-Waterloo-Wellington Area

and in Southwestern Ontario.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Canada Company Piers (a few steps from this marker); Former Canadian Pacific Railway Station (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Canadian Pacific Railroad Roundhouse (about 90 meters away); Imperial Oil Storage Tanks (about 120 meters away); The CPR Freight Shed (about 120 meters away); The Waterworks (about 120 meters away); The Bathing House (about 120 meters away);

Photographed by Tim Boyd, August 22, 2025

2. Captains Babb’s Bathing House Marker

Goderich Salt Mine (about 120 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Goderich.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 26, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 101 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 26, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.