Identifier	clloy_170
Title	Bimini Hot Springs, Los Angeles, Cal.
Creator	Unknown
Date Published	circa 1920
Subject (Topic)	Hot springs--California--Los Angeles; Bathhouses--California--Los Angeles; Swimming Pools--California--Los Angeles;
Subject (Name)	Bimini Baths (Los Angeles, Calif.);
Subject (Place)	Los Angeles, Calif.;
Type	image
Form/Genre	Postcards
Physical Description	1 postcard : Color ; 9 x 14 cm.
Institution	Department of Archives and Special Collections, William H. Hannon Library, Loyola Marymount University
Country of Creation	US
Copyright Status	public domain
Copyright Statement	http://library.lmu.edu/collections/digitallibraryprogram/copyrightandreproductionpolicy/
Publisher	E. C. Kropp Co.
Place of Publication	Milwaukee
Language	eng
Description	An exterior view of the Bimini Hot Springs building in Los Angeles, California. The side of the building reads, "Bimini Hot Springs, School of Swimming, Learn to Swim Gracefully." The building is surrounded by trees, with grassy open space behind it.
Historical Background	The Bimini Baths were located near Third Street and Vermont Avenue, just west of downtown Los Angeles. Named for the island home of the legendary fountain of youth pursued by Ponce de Leon, the bath house opened in 1903, and was the property of a Dr. David W. Edwards. The hot springs were discovered when prospectors drilling for oil instead tapped into a mineral hot springs. Dr. Edwards built a large wooden building that housed a 50-yard main pool, as well as a separate pool for women, and several private, individual pools. There was a cafe and a balcony for observers near the main pool. The original building was destroyed by fire in November of 1905, but rebuilt the following year as a Mission revival structure designed by architect Thornton Fitzhugh. New features included a Turkish Bath area, two 40 by 40 foot pools for private parties, and rooftop gardens and balconies. The bath house was easily accessible by street car, and offered swimming lessons and hosted competitions in swimming and water polo. In 1951, however, the business went bankrupt and the building was demolished five years later.
Additional Printed Matter	On back: "Bimini Hot Springs. The velvet bath. Where health and pleasure meet. Swimming Pools and Medical treatment Department. Write for descriptive literature."
Publisher's Identifier	Publisher's serial number: 17181
Additional Notes	Printed on textured paper.
Source	Werner von Boltenstern Postcard Collection