Washington Heights, Amsterdam Avenue at 173rd Street

Mary Sargent © 2009 …………………………………….. click to enlarge




Mary Sargent © 2009 …………………………………….. click to enlarge

Right smack at the end of 173rd Street at Amsterdam Avenue is this arresting building. The sign says Highbridge Play Center. According to the New York Landmarks Preservation Commission, which granted landmark status to this building on August 14, 2007, this is a bath house, an Art Moderne-style bath house. Where there's a bath house, there must be a, uh, in this case, a huge swimming pool. Built by Robert Moses in 1936 over a reservoir that was part of the Old Croton Aqueduct. Oh, I'm just paraphrasing what's in the article. You should just go to the article and read it for yourself. It's worth it. There's a picture of the pool, too.

See map.