The public bath movement in the 1890s saw cities like New York build free public bathhouses to promote hygiene among the working class. This initiative was a response to the unsanitary living conditions prevalent in rapidly industrializing urban areas. By providing accessible bathing facilities, the movement aimed to improve public health and reduce the spread of diseases, reflecting broader social reform efforts during the era.

The public bath movement in industrial cities during the 1890s inspired progressive-era poetry that addressed social justice and the dignity of the urban poor. Poets like Langston Hughes highlighted the importance of public health and community welfare, reflecting the changing attitudes toward urban living.