Forester’s Hall and the San Rafael Municipal Baths were both designed by architect Thomas O’Connor. Looking at these images side by side makes it easier to see specific similarities, especially in the mission-style architecture.

By the end of the 19th century, O’Connor joined other California architects who recognized the value of the historic surroundings, including the Spanish colonial mission heritage. They launched the mission revival style, characterized by silhouetted shapes that mirrored the old missions.

Yet, perhaps what’s more important than a building’s design is what happens inside.

Located at 505 Mesa Road in Point Reyes Station, Forester’s Hall was designed by O’Connor in 1915. The Foresters of America, a benevolent group, opened chapter Court No. 219 in Point Reyes Station in 1905 and later used the hall. It was also used for a variety of events, including art shows, fundraisers and Fourth of July celebrations.

One of the most popular events was the annual West Marin Junior Livestock Show and Festival. In connection with Dairy Month, it began in 1949 and was sponsored by the West Marin Lions Club, Point Reyes Circle and Companions of Foresters of America. Comprised of the Tomales 4-H Club and Future Farmers of America, there were hundreds of animal entries, along with home science, electrical and gardening projects. The weekend also included a parade, colorful floats, a fashion show, folk dancing and the Coronation Ball.

A June 14, 1960, Marin IJ article announced that Forester’s Hall was purchased by Charles Mel for $75,000. Eventually, this building became a private residence. In the 1970s, the building was called the Sandcastle Gallery and went on to have different owners.

In April 2020, this landmark building suffered extensive fire damage to the northeastern exterior. Two apartments suffered water damage, forcing the tenants to move out; luckily, there were no injuries.

At a crowded San Rafael Board of Trustees meeting, Mayor Sig Herzog passed a resolution in 1914 to build a new municipal bathhouse over the old saltwater swimming area at Second and Lincoln. On April 18, 1915, the San Rafael Municipal Baths opened with 2,000 visitors joining the festivities. Filtered and heated canal water was used in the 100-foot-by-40-foot main pool that had a diving board and a 30-foot-high springboard. The facility also included a pool for kids, dressing rooms and heated saltwater “hot tubs.” A balcony on the second floor surrounded the pool, where visitors used the slide to plunge into the pool below.

The baths were a center of community activity and aquatic fun well into the 1930s.

Olympian Eleanor Garatti grew up swimming at the baths. She began setting world records in swimming races around the country and won her first national championship at age 15. She earned a spot on the 1928 Olympic team, winning both a silver and gold medal.

In the mid-1930s during the Great Depression, the baths became a financial liability, and San Rafael leased the second-floor rooms to local veteran and citizen groups for meetings while the large main room was leased to the H.C. Little Burner Co., which covered the pool and converted the building into a factory for residential oil burners. On June 4, 1949, the historic building caught fire and burned to the ground.

Despite the loss of one building and change in the other, these special buildings reflect who and where we were at the time and built community. We are fortunate to have these images which keep the historical storytelling alive.

History Watch is written by Lane Dooling, marketing and social media coordinator at the Marin History Museum, marinhistory.org. Images included in History Watch are available for purchase by calling 415-382-1182 or by email at info@marinhistory.org