Everard Baths, Gay bathhouse in Manhattan, United States
Everard Baths was a bathhouse located in a converted church building on West 28th Street that housed steam rooms, private chambers, and a swimming pool. The facility spread across multiple floors with rest areas and common spaces.
James Everard, a financier, opened the bathhouse in 1888 inside a former religious building. After nearly a century, it closed in 1986 during the citywide health crisis.
The building served as a gathering space where men could meet freely during a time of social restrictions. The name comes from the founder, whose family built wealth through brewing.
The main entrance was directly on West 28th Street between the avenues, near what is now Madison Square Park. The building stood in the middle section of the neighborhood until its final closure.
A fire in 1977 resulted in nine deaths because emergency exits were locked. After rebuilding, the place remained open for nine more years.
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