Upper Shockoe Valley in Richmond, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Branch Public Baths
Photographed By Dawn Bowen, July 28, 2007
1. Branch Public Baths Marker
Inscription.
Branch Public Baths. . John Patterson Branch (1830–1915), banker, philanthropist and community leader, erected Richmond’s first public bath here in 1909 at 1801 East Broad Street as a gift to the city. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, cities such as Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York began operating municipally managed public baths that were open throughout the year to promote good public health. In 1913, Branch Public Bath No. 2 at 709 West Main Street was opened. At the peak in the early 1920s, more than 80,000 customers used the two facilities each year. The development of domestic indoor plumbing led to the closing of the two public baths in 1950.
John Patterson Branch (1830–1915), banker, philanthropist and community leader, erected Richmond’s first public bath here in 1909 at 1801 East Broad Street as a gift to the city. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, cities such as Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York began operating municipally managed public baths that were open throughout the year to promote good public health. In 1913, Branch Public Bath No. 2 at 709 West Main Street was opened. At the peak in the early 1920s, more than 80,000 customers used the two facilities each year. The development of domestic indoor plumbing led to the closing of the two public baths in 1950.
Erected 2005 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number SA-68.)
Location. 37° 32.12′ N, 77° 25.502′ W. Marker is in Richmond, Virginia. It is in Upper Shockoe Valley. Marker is on East Broad Street (U.S. 250) near North 18th Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1801 E Broad St, Richmond VA 23223, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 29, 2007, by Dawn Bowen of Fredericksburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 3,571 times since then and 235 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on July 29, 2007, by Dawn Bowen of Fredericksburg, Virginia. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.
