Gay Bathhouses

by Jeff Auer

Bathhouses have been sites for homosexual sex since they first appeared in the Ancient Roman era. In America bathhouses appeared in large cities in the 1800's when few residences had running water. By the turn of the century several big city bathhouses were places where gay men went for sex and company.

The first of the big national chains was the Club Baths Chain. Among the others were Dave's Bathhouse Chain (Seattle, San Francisco, Reno, San Diego). Steamworks (Honolulu, Berkeley, Fresno, Sacramento) and Man's Country (New York City, Chicago).

Among the many popular local bathhouses were in New York: The Continental Baths, Club Baths New York. In South Florida they were:the Club Baths Miami, Club Lauderdale-The Gym, and the Clubhouse II. In San Francisco they were: The Ritch Street Health Club, The Club Turkish Baths, Jack's Baths, and the21st Street Baths. In Atlanta it was the Club South Baths. In Los Angeles they were: Glen's Turkish Baths, the Roman Holiday Baths,the 1350 Club, and the Hollywood Spa.In Seattle it was the South End Steam Baths. In Atlanta it was the [[Club South Baths]. In San Diego it was Club Vulcan. <comments />