Where Argyle baths were. The brickwork looks oldish but it doesn't look like the other pics. Nearly opposite on the other side of the road on the pavement are some metal things(my mind has blank as to what they're called) and I wonder if they had anything to do with the baths or are they the name of the makers
Those Argyle Street South pictures certainly bring back memories. My Dad used to go there for a bath of a Saturday morning and I sometimes went with him as a very small child in the Fifties. When you had no bath at home (in fact, no hot running water) it was brilliant. However, I'm not sure derekdwc's modern picture is the correct location of the old baths. If you look closely at marty99fred's mid-60s picture, you can see a building next to the No10 bus. This building looks like the one pictured by derekdwc. I think the baths were further down towards Borough Road. It's a long time since I've had a look around there, so bear with me if I'm wrong.
The grid covers marked "SALT" would have been associated with the baths. Some of the water from Shore Road Pumping Station that came from the drainage heading of the Mersey Railway tunnel was supplied to the Argyle St. Baths. It was salt water from the Mersey. Unlike raw Mersey water, it was crystal clear. It was naturally filtered by the sandstone strata. Perfect for the baths!
On a visit many years ago, I remember seeing the sump at the bottom of the Shore Road pumping shaft. It had about 12 - 15 feet of standing Mersey water in it. Perfectly clear with a tinge of blue. Unbelieveable!
the building photographed kindly by derek is shown in the older snap next to the number 10 bus....it was in exhistance at the same time as the baths, which were situated just about next to them.............where the building yard is today....
I learnt to swim with Mr Lord of the ymca,at livingstone Street in 1960 also took part in scoutx swimming galas at Byrne avenue baths,very much enjoyed visiting both,in summer swam outdoors at portsunlight baths
