KEIGHLEY swimming baths in Albert Street were originally opened in 1876 as the Keighley Baths and Wash-houses, in an effort to improve the cleanliness and therefore health of mill and factory hands.
A swimming pool was added in 1914.
At their peak, the baths had a large and a small swimming bath, two Turkish baths, sun-ray and radiant heat departments, 28 slipper baths and a public wash-house.
A 1938 advert offered Turkish baths to treat rheumatism and sciatica, foam baths for nervous disorders and radiant heat baths for liver and kidney ailments.
In winter, the larger pool was converted into a ballroom.
The baths closed in 1989 and were finally demolished in 1995.
The site is now occupied by Kendal Mellor Court, named after a local long-distance swimmer who swam the English Channel in 1963.
Images are provided by Keighley and District Local History Society.
Information is compiled by chairman Joyce Newton and archivist Tim Neal.
The history society was formed in 2004 on the 100th anniversary of Keighley’s Carnegie Library. Its mission is to preserve and share the heritage of the town and surrounding area.
The society has guest speaker meetings every second Wednesday of the month in Keighley Local Studies Library, from 7pm.
Visit its website, at keighleyhistory.org.uk, or Facebook page for more details.
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