On 4 February 1871, the foundation stone was laid for the Improvement Commissioners’ new Victoria Baths as part of their determination to maintain and improve Harrogate’s Spa industry. The Victoria Baths contained individual bath rooms for men and women, two immersion pools, an imposing central entrance hall and ticket office, above which were offices for the Improvement Commissioners. This splendid new amenity was larger than Williams’ baths, which became known as the “Old Victoria Baths”, or Thackwray’s Crown or Montpellier Baths, and established itself almost immediately as a success.
Image: New Victoria Baths, 1910