OBJECT TITLE / NAME

The Baths, Mornington

DATE1950s

MEDIAImage

COLLECTIONMornington and District Historical Society

REG NO.1242.22

HISTORY

Sea bathing in specially erected structures built over the water enjoyed a heyday of popularity in the latter part of the 19th century, and the early 1900’s. The Baths which were built at the base of a cliff between Shire Hall Beach and the Pier at Mornington offered facilities of dressing rooms and diving boards. They continued to be used by large numbers of people up to and beyond the time of World War 2. In the 1890’s the proprietor was William Irvine, who advertised the bathing hours at his Royal Baths with different times for gentlemen and ladies, so they didn’t bath together.

DESCRIPTION

This shows the Baths from the top of the embankment. It is a cloudy day, and three people are shown in the foreground walking on the beach. Mothers Beach is shown on the far side of the Baths. There is a sign on the building saying “Welcome to Mornington, bath in safety etc”. The land on the other side of Mothers beach is covered in scrub and trees, with only a couple of sheds visible. There are several small boats on the beach in the foreground.

SUBJECTS

Bathing boxes, Beaches

KEYWORDS

Bathing boxes, Beaches, Mornington, Mothers Beach, Port Phillip Bay