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Kingarth Street, GLASGOW, G42 7SB

In 2001 Glasgow City Council closed the Public wash-house/pool despite the fact that many people in the surrounding area didn’t have baths, showers or even the simplest of washing facilities, thus taking away the simple right to have a wash and the dignity of personal hygiene. Before the closure new baths were opened in the Bellahouston & Gorbals areas, neither of them have private washing facilities for individuals.

The rear of the building, on Kingarth Street. Hopefully soon to be re-opened after ten years of disuse http://www.govanhillbaths.com/

The rear of the building, on Kingarth Street. Hopefully soon to be re-opened after ten years of disuse http://www.govanhillbaths.com/

The history of the area is linked to the Dixon family. A prominent ironmaster, William Dixon opened blast furnaces to the North of Govanhill which became known as 'Dixons Blazes'. A company village called Fireworks Village was situated on the site of the later Burgh of Govanhill. The area itself was formed in 1877 and the main avenue that runs the length of it is called Dixon Avenue. Some of the local streets were name after the daughters of William Dixon Jnr; Allison Street, Daisy Street, and Annette Street. Successive waves of immigrants from Ireland, Pakistan and more recently Poland and Slovakia have given the area a rich multicultural identity. Govanhill is home to one of Glasgow's original Carnegie libraries, deftly designed in the Edwardian Baroque style by James Robert Rhind. The library is situated on Langside Road at its junction with Calder Street.

The arched window shows the Glasgow coat of arms the tree that never grew, the bird that never flew, the fish that never swam, the bell that never rang.

The baths were designed by A B McDonald and opened in 1917 after the architect's death. They contained hot baths in the upper storey and three swimming pools & private showers on the ground floor. There was also a wash-house or "steamie" at the rear of the building, which was converted to a launderette in 1971. A campaign to save Govanhill Pool began in December/ January 2001 when Glasgow C.C. informed the community that it was to close the baths on March 31st 2001. There had been no local consultation and none with the users. Community members occupied the pool from March 17th until August 7th that year when, after obtaining a decree to remove the protesters from the pool Sheriff’s Officers accompanied eventually by some 250 police, horses and even a helicopter surveillance removed the Community members and boarded up the pool with steel shutters. It has remained like this since.

Opened in 1906, Govanhill and Crosshill District Library designed in the Edwardian Baroque style is one of the twelve libraries constructed with Andrew Carnegie's gift of £100,000 to the city in 1901. It is also one of the seven of these buildings designed by the architect James R Rhind.

Pre 1960’s segregated swimming was the norm with an exception of one day a week mixed bathing.(shocking!)

Concrete Roofing Struts