LILLINGTON'S LADIES BATHS
26 ESPLANADE WILLIAMSTOWN, HOBSONS BAY CITY
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Statement of Significance
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LILLINGTON'S LADIES BATHS - History
A baths complex was built at the end of Garden St in 1856, and were run by Mr Lillington, and was specified as "ladies only" in 1859 (WC, 24/12/1859). Small changing boxes were supplied at the water's edge near fenced enclosures used for swimming, and were so tiny that they were described as rabbit hutches (Williamstown City Library, 1987:13). These baths were supposedly demolished when the new Williamstown Baths complex was built in 1880 (Williamstown City Library, 1987:13), but are mentioned at again numerous times until 1890 when they were sold (WA, 9/8/1890). The baths were extended in 1881 and 1890, and catered for both men and women in the latter year (WA 8/1/1881, 15/2/1890). The decline of the baths popularity may have been compounded by the problems with dye discharge from the nearby wool mill (WC, 27/10/88).
LILLINGTON'S LADIES BATHS - Interpretation of Site
The Williamstown Baths complex was built in 1880 along the foreshore. A plan from 1891 (BLC #37) shows the baths were located parallel to the shore, indicating that they were quite a small complex, and probably closer in stature to bathing box facilities than full scale bathing enclosures (BLC#33). Inspection of an areal photograph from the 1980's (BLC#36) shows a dark semicircular structure in the exact location of the former baths, suggesting the remains of the structure may still lie under the sand in this region. No underwater inspection was carried out, but no remains were sighted on the sandy bottom when water clarity conditions permitted surveillance from the shore. However, large amounts of sand accretion are evident in this area, and therefore a visual underwater inspection of the site should be timed to coincide with the end of a stormy period, when sand levels are likely to be reduced.
Heritage Inventory Description
LILLINGTON'S LADIES BATHS - Heritage Inventory Description
Today remnants of a semi-circular rock formation, heavily acreated with sand, is associated with the ladies bathing complex.
Archaeological deposits associated with the ladies bathing complex. Semicircular rock formation, heavily acreated with sand, located along the foreshore at Williamstown.
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WILLIAMSTOWN PRIMARY SCHOOLVictorian Heritage Register H1639
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FORMER PRESBYTERIAN MANSEVictorian Heritage Register H0229
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FORMER ADVERTISER BUILDINGVictorian Heritage Register H0865
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