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

The Bathing House

— Goderich Waterfront Heritage Walkway —

Photographed by Tim Boyd, July 15, 2026

1. The Bathing House Marker

Inscription. In the early 1930s, Bert MacDonald, a ship builder at the Mariton shipyard, leased the former CPR freight shed for the building of small boats and fishing vessels. As the demand for boat building decreased, Bert created a bathing house by converting the west end of the large green building into change lockers with washrooms and a confectionery counter.

Bert had built two small wooden tugs for himself, the Captain John named after his father, and the Annamac after his mother. In addition to using these vessels as work tugs, he decided to run pleasure boat rides from this location, out around the breakwalls and back.

Bert taught hundreds of youngsters to swim and allowed them to ‘test their skills by doing 50 feet’ at the end of his rope tether. His reward for success was a candy bar and his permission to swim between the piers!

Following Bert's death, his grandson Donald Bert MacAdam purchased the business. In the 1970s, the building was condemned and demolished.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 43° 44.695′ N,

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81° 43.559′ W. Marker is in Goderich, Ontario, in Huron County. It is on Harbour Street. The marker is on a walkway accessible from Main Beach, or through the Rotary Bathing House, approx. 60 meters from Harbour Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 270 Harbour 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: The CPR Freight Shed (here, next to this marker); Vicki Keith (here, next to this marker); Goderich Salt Mine (here, next to this marker); Fish Shanties (a few steps from this marker); Ship Island (a few steps from this marker); Goderich Harbour (a few steps from this marker); Imperial Oil Storage Tanks

Photographed by Tim Boyd, July 15, 2026

2. The Bathing House Marker

Center of photo

(about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Captains Babb’s Bathing House (about 120 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Goderich.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, July 15, 2026

3. The Bathing House Marker

Facing toward the Rotary Beach House and Harbour Street, the marker is the fifth from the camera on the left side of the walkway

Credits. This page was last revised on July 29, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 26, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 23 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 26, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.