When did regular bathing become the norm in the Old West?

When did regular bathing become the norm in the Old West?

Mike Franklin

Poteet, Texas

Good hygiene is a fairly recent concern. The mid-20th century brought us the daily bath, and even then women were more prone to wash daily than men. For men, once a week was enough. Remember the term “Saturday night bath?”

Also, one could not just turn on the faucet and get hot water. Folks had to heat the water before pouring it into the tub.

Water was a prized commodity in the Old West. Bathing was low on the totem pole when it came to priority uses of the wet stuff.