Historical information

McGuire's Baths and Swimming Pool were constructed by Mr. P. McGuire 'opposite View Point and Royal Hotels' in Sandhurst. Mr. McGuire had permission to erect a building which contained twelve baths, together with ladies' and gentlemen's dressing rooms. The baths opened for business from 25th December, 1855. The establishment had a good supply of water. The water, 'after being used once', was 'passed into the Creek (Bendigo Creek)'. (Bendigo Advertiser, 25th December, '1855 'Baths, Baths, Baths' ) In November 1855 during the construction of the Baths a fire broke out, possibly started by a lighted cigar being left on wood shavings. The fire was extinguished by 'manual exertions'. There was a 'plenteous supply of water adjacent which contributed to the speedy extinguishing of the flames' In December 1863, a meeting was advertised to be held at McGuire's Baths for the purpose of establishing a swimming club (Bendigo Advertiser, 9th. December, 1863)
By 1866, Mr. Matthew Moran now proprietor of the Baths since 1864, writes in a letter to the Bendigo Advertiser that 'we can now boast of the largest freshwater swimming baths in these colonies' and that 'any man can have a swim, a shower-bath and towel every day for the low charge of twopence three farthings'. Further 'we can boast of every king of baths except vapour or Turkish are very little wanted on Sandhurst, as the inhabitants are generally a very steady well conducted people'. ( Bendigo Advertiser, 29th October, 1866.

Physical description

Black and white copy of original photograph showing McGuire's Bath Rooms, Bendigo. Image shows building constructed near Bendigo Creek and adjoining current High Street, Bendigo. Sign on front of Building above verandah 'Baths'. Building at rear has 'Swimming' and 'Swimming Baths' signage on the front and side. In front of Baths buildings, a timber bridge across the Bendigo Creek. In foreground of image is High Street with a horse and cart with men standing along the road. Written on bottom of page 'a remarkable photograph, taken about 1860, of McGuire's Bath Rooms. The quagmire in front is now High Street' and 'The Story of Charing Cross'.