HEGARTY'S GENTS BATHS
7-18 JACKA BOULEVARD ST KILDA, PORT PHILLIP CITY
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Statement of Significance
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HEGARTY'S GENTS BATHS - History
The area stretching from the Catani Gardens to Brookes Jetty was once occupied by as many as six separate bathing complexes. The area was always popular with bathers, even before the bath complexes were established.
Kenny purchased a site from Mrs Ford, who had established a Ladies Sea bath to the immediate south of St Kilda Pier in 1853. In 1854, Captain William Kenny purchased the condemned Scandinavian vessel Nancy to use as a bathing ship (H7822-0412), and beached and scuttled her just south of St Kilda Pier on the former site of Mrs Fords Ladies Baths. Bathers were pulled themselves out to the bathing ship using a dinghy and shoreline. He was forced to relocate the vessel at considerable expense a few weeks later to the north side of the pier, and the Kenny Family took up residence on board the vessel. It is not clear whether swimmers bathed inside the ship or from it, but in 1855, Kenny had erected a substantial fenced in enclosure that was advertised as being "free from fish" , which is shown in a plan of 1872 (HWJ 4066). Kenny also provided accommodation for bathers on St Kilda Beach. A storm washed away most of the fence structure in 1858, which Kenny replaced with solid redgum piles. The bathing structure here was described in 1862 as "a three sided wooden erections open to the sea. These are divided into innumerable little apartments rather smaller than a bathing machine.." Cooper, 1931:168). Captain Kenny also ran ladies baths (H7822-0415) at St Kilda, which were placed under the control of his wife and daughters. Kenny became known as the pioneer of bathing establishment at St Kilda. The licence to this site was renewed by 1858, and a restaurant was associated with it, although it is unclear if the site was owned by Kenny or Ford at that time.
Kenny's operations were running profitably until the Hegarty Brothers entered into competition in 1862 and established Hegarty's Gents Baths, (which was also known as the Company Baths (H7822-0414)), and Ladies Baths (H7822-0416 ) which were located to the south respectively of each of Kenny's baths. Hegarty purchased the site of his men's baths from Legget, who had been the manager of the St Kilda Sea Company Baths as they were previously known before 1862. Hegarty's baths were reported to have 300 dressing rooms for bathers. Parts of the baths were washed away by storms in 1863.
South of Ford's baths was a disused establishment called the Pavillion Baths, which had gone out of favour and were being used by fishermen, and was leased by Kenny. In 1873, The St Kilda Ladies Sea Bath Company was established, and managed by a Mrs Shaw. The complex was so successful that it was extended by 200 ft seaward the next year. By 1881, numerous bathing companies operated at St Kilda, including the Ladies Royal Baths, The Victorian Railway Ladies Baths, Kenny's Bathing Ship (all owned by Kenny) and the St Kilda Ladies Sea Bathing Company Baths, and Hegarty's Railways Baths for Gents (all owned by Hegarty).Hegarty's baths were later purchased by Isaac Barnet, who later remodelled them with a new facade and installed electric lights. Kenny's bathing ship, was removed in 1912, as part of a foreshore beautification project and the government purchased the Kenny's Ladies baths in 1918.
The St Kilda Council had gradually purchased the privately owned enclosed sea baths from 1910's-1920's, and this structure was built to replace these facilities. However, by the time it was completed in the early 1930's, the enclosed sea bathing idea was largely outdated. Patrons showed a preference for the Council's Open Sea Bathing Pavilions which were built as part of the same foreshore development scheme. These baths were the largest of their type in Australia, and were leased to private operators.
The structure was made of reinforced concrete and offered including separate sex and hot water baths, dining facilities, sunbathing balconies and a gymnasium. The onset of the Second World War led to the deterioration of the site, and by 1954 the site was closed by the Council as it was derelict. Although plans were proposed by the new owner (South Pacific Holdings) to revive the facility, only the pool was re-opened in 1956 as maintenance cost for the site proved restrictive. The site successively by several nightclubs and a health club.HEGARTY'S GENTS BATHS - Interpretation of Site
Substantial concrete decking frames/ beams (approx 1.5m thick x 15m long x 10 wide) and timber piles were located immediately in front of the St Kilda Baths complex approximately 50 - 75m offshore, and it is postulated that these are from the later open water St Kilda Baths Complex built in 1931 (Cooper, 1931a: 224). Taylor (pers comms) supports this observation, as he recalls seeing trucks operating over this stretch of water on the decking during the 1960's.
No structural remains of the former baths are evident onshore with two exceptions. On the former site of Kenny's Ladies Baths, there is a notable opening in an earthen embankment that corresponds to the location of the former access way to the baths.
Underwater inspection of the area revealed a heavy accumulation of 19th and 20th century artefacts (bottles, ceramics, scattered timber piles and planks etc) from immediately adjacent to the St Kilda Pier (offshore from the current St Kilda Baths) which lessened in density approximately 200m away to the SE. Sporadic artefacts scatters were found eastward of this location in positions corresponding to the southern baths, but without the clustering found with the sites associated with the Company and Kenny's Ladies Baths.
Heritage Inventory Description
HEGARTY'S GENTS BATHS - Heritage Inventory Description
Heavy accumulation of 19th and 20th century artefacts were found in the vicinity of St Kilda Pier. Sporadic artefact scatters were found in positions corresponding to the southern baths, but without the clustering found with the sites associated with the Company and Kenny's Ladies Baths. Substantial concrete decking frames/beams (approx 1.5m thick x15m long x10 wide) and timber piles were located immediately in front of the St Kilda Baths complex.
Baths, concrete decking, piles and artefacts associated with the site's former use.
Archeological Potential:
Excellent
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