Irish immigrant and brewer James Everard established the Everard Baths on New York's west side in 1888. It was palacial by the standards of the time, and by 1910 it was a known gay cruising site. It was ever referred to as "Everhard." Sadly, a tragic 1977 fire killed nine men, and even though the owners rebuilt and reopened, Everard's closed for good at the height of the AIDS crisis.
Below, a photo from the New York Herald in 1905.
1977 wasn't THAT long ago. Wonder if there's still anyone around who used to go there.
ReplyDeleteThere absolutely have to be.
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