Swimming and bathing in Hamilton Harbour was once a very popular pastime. So popular in fact, that in 1922, a huge bath house was constructed on the shore just below Wassabo Park (LaSalle Park); the north shore was a hot spot for swimmers with its warm shallow waters and sandy bottom. The bath house was destroyed in a large fire years later in 1935. Along with the destruction of the bath house in the mid 1930’s, came the ban on swimming in the Harbour after decades of unregulated dumping of pollutants in the water. The swimming ban remained in effect until 1995. Today, even as water quality conditions continue to improve, swimming on the north shore remains infrequent. Visitors to the area opt to enjoy the Harbour by water craft.