We The People: This Day in History, January 1
Waco Natatorium Destroyed by Fire, Ending Four Decades of Baths and Social Gatherings
Updated: Jan. 1, 2026 at 8:20 AM CST
WACO, Texas (KWTX) - On January 1, 1927, the Waco Natatorium burned down and was never rebuilt.
The natatorium opened in 1892 in downtown Waco, drawing crowds in with waters believed to have healing powers.
It featured thermal baths, Turkish and Russian baths, and one of the largest indoor swimming pools in the South.
After a fire in 1894, the building was rebuilt even larger, with four stories.
For decades, it hosted social events, such as Ladies’ Night, and welcomed guests to its hotel rooms.
It closed in December 1926, and just weeks later, a fire destroyed the building, ending nearly forty years of history.
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