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One of the things I found interesting about The Breakers is that--hot and cold running water notwithstanding--the living quarters were pretty spartan even by middle class standards today. All the bling was in the public rooms.

These were summer "cottages" to be sure and the same dynamics probably didn't apply to their regular homes. Nut I found it interesting nonetheless.

I'm curious what is the reason for having running salt water? For taking baths?

Originally, probably the combination of supposed health effects of bathing in salt water and to flex on the less wealthy.

Later, to keep up with the Joneses aka Vanderbilts.

Plumbing in general during that age was amazing. I cannot even imagine what it would cost like to build one of those mansions today.