Man’s Country is one of the “grand old” bathhouses you’ve heard about. Celebrating its fortieth anniversary in 2013, its reputation is legendary. Our physical building was built in 1907 as a lodge hall for a fraternal/social organization. From its inception it had a somewhat sordid story.
Acquired by Chuck Renslow and Dom Orejudos in 1972, the building underwent a major renovation to bring it into code compliance and add the things that make a bathhouse fun. During this construction they discovered the remains of a speakeasy and gambling casino. Moveable walls hid shelves once lined with slot-machine, card rooms contained back staircases allowing patrons quick access to other parts of the building. Our huge steam room started out as a vault. And we actually found a human skeleton under the stage. (The medical quality piece had been apparently used in part of their old initiation ceremony. For many, many years until its theft, it was on display in the “Pit” at the old Gold Coast Leather Bar at 501 N. Clark St.)
Here’s some trivia:
Throughout the hallways of Man’sCountry you’ll find artwork by the artist “Etienne”. Together with Tom of Finland, Etienne is considered one of the two great masters of gay leather art. Etienne’s real name was Dom Orejudos (one of our founders). You can see more of his art on the walls of our neighbor bar, the Chicago Eagle.
Our “Music Hall” on the second floor has its own history. Starting life as the lodge hall or meeting room for the fraternity, we used it for entertainment. For years we hosted a variety of live shows often as much as four nights per week. In those days acts like Wayland Flowers and Madam, Charles Pierce and Sally Rand played the room. All the big divas were there, Thelma Houston, Viola Wills and Pamela Stanley to name a few. From 1987 through 1992 the room served as the Bistro Too dance floor during which time all those divas came back to play our stage, as did Boy George, the Village People and Divine. (Sadly, ours was Divine’s last live show before his death.)
Tags: 1960's, 1970's, Gay Baths, Gay History
