28 Photos of Gay Bathhouse History in Chicago

Chicago's oldest gay bathhouse closed forever on New Year's Day 2018.

Artwork on the walls by Dom Orejudos, a.k.a. Etienne

Chicago lost a piece of gay history in 2018, when Man's Country, the city's oldest bathhouse, closed its doors after 44 years.

The private club went out with flair, celebrating its last day with a 13-hour party that began on New Year's Eve 2017 and lasted into the next morning, according to the Chicago Tribune.

The Uptown site was a backdrop to some of the biggest achievements and challenges faced by Chicago's LGBTQ community. Author and historian Owen Keehnen said the loss of Man's Country was "a gay version of seeing the house you grew up in torn down. It was everything. A place of sexual liberation, social ease with being gay and community building." The property was to be demolished to make way for condominiums.

Scroll down for a last look inside.

Entering the hallowed and historic hallways

More Etienne artwork on the stairs

Checking out the check-ins.

"We are family..."

Locker room atmosphere

"Someone left the cake out in the rain..."

"Last night a DJ saved my life…"

Looks like it'll be spring water

Etienne's stairway to heaven

Locker room encounters allowed

"You can ring my be-e-ell, ring my bell..."

"Sweet dreams are made of this..."

Desk set

The office of the big guy, with a memorial rose or two

Giving customers the once over

"Yes, it's my last chance, for romance, tonight..."

Don't say we didn't warn you

A cozy corner

Vintage art by Etienne

"So let's dance, the last dance..."

Showgirls

Don't get lost

Ron Ehemann

Harry Cross

"Cause when I'm bad, I'm so, so bad..."

The end of an era

Harry and Ron in the lobby with the mahogany elephant