Maurice Bathhouse

Overview

Maurice Bathhouse is one of Bathhouse Row’s grand historic buildings—beautiful from the sidewalk, but currently closed to the public. Think soaring arches, open windows, and the elegant bones of an early 20th‑century spa palace. It’s an easy add to any stroll down Central Avenue: admire the facade, then pivot to nearby working bathhouses or the Fordyce museum for interiors you can actually see.

Why it mattered

Opened in 1912 and later remodeled, the Maurice was considered state‑of‑the‑art for its day—three stories, twin elevators, staterooms, a gymnasium, roof garden, and stained‑glass skylights. In the 1930s it added the Row’s only therapeutic pool, used for conditions like arthritis and polio, and over six decades it provided more than 2.5 million baths before closing in 1974.

What you can do now

• Enjoy the exterior architecture as part of a Bathhouse Row walk.
• Feel the thermal water at the Display Spring behind the building, and look for the Maurice Historic Spring Area between the Hale and Maurice (for touching, not soaking).
• Fill bottles at jug/drinking fountains clustered between the Hale and Maurice, or along Reserve Street.
• Need facilities? Use the restrooms in the Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center.

Status and what’s next

The Maurice is the only unoccupied historic bathhouse remaining on the Row. It’s undergoing rehabilitation under a park program to restore historic features and upgrade safety, with the goal of preparing it for future commercial leasing. Until a new tenant opens it, plan on exterior viewing only.

Nearby alternatives for a soak

Two bathhouses currently offer spa services: Buckstaff (traditional bathing experience) and Quapaw (modern pools and treatments). For history exhibits and restored rooms, the Fordyce serves as the park’s visitor center and museum.

Best time to visit

If you’re planning to soak elsewhere on the Row, arrive early or choose weekdays—travelers report long waits during busy periods (especially around March). That timing also pairs well with a quick, crowd‑free look at the Maurice’s facade before or after your bath.