Late 19th-20th century
Finnish sauna in America (late 19th-20th century)
Finnish immigrants brought the sauna tradition to the United States, particularly in the Upper Midwest. Public bathhouses were common in American cities in the early 20th century, serving both hygiene and social functions.
Then
Saunas became a staple of Finnish-American communities and public bathhouses served urban populations.
Now
Public bathhouses declined by mid-century, but sauna culture persisted in fitness clubs and private homes.
Why this matters now
Sauna Public's traditional Finnish sauna draws on this long history, reviving the public bathhouse model with modern wellness amenities.