#9: Smith’s Casino, 1921
Can you guess what era this photo is from based on what people are wearing? If you guessed the 1920s, you would be correct! The guys are wearing one-piece swimsuits, and the women are fully clothed. It definitely was a different time. This photo was taken at Smith’s Bathing Casino in Miami Beach, Florida.
This may come as a surprise, but Smith’s Bathing Casino wasn’t a casino in the way you might think. It had nothing to do with gambling at all. Bathing casinos were essentially bath houses built near beaches. They were clubs where people could go and enjoy the water and cool weather in the heat of summer. If this photo is any clue, it seems that Smith’s was pretty popular.