“Bruckman’s Breitenbush Springs Foot Bath, Breitenbush, Oregon,” ca. 1937, via OSU Special Collections & Archives Commons on flickr.
Ah, come on folks. . . take off those shoes.
Like these guys. (Tie removal optional)
Merle Bruckman bought the property around the Breitenbush hot springs in 1927 and turned it into a wilderness health spa. He sold it in the mid-1950s, and the operation changed hands a few more times before closing in 1972 after two large floods.
In 1981, it re-opened as a retreat and conference center — owned by its workers since 1989.
The photos are fascinating, so is the roof on the building. I can’t remember ever seeing another roof shaped like this one. I suppose it was an easier shape to construct than what you would normally see, a roof that comes to a single central peak. Was there supposed to be a health benefit in foot bathing?
It would certainly feel good after a day of hiking — although none of these people are dressed for a hike.