Glass Bathrooms of Sulphur Springs TX

Steve and I were completely dumbfounded when our friends, Sandee and Mack, took us to see one of the biggest tourist attractions in their little town. The Glass Bathrooms of Sulphur Springs TX are completely unique and definitely attractive.

Glass Bathrooms of Sulphur Springs TX

These unusual public bathrooms were built in 2012 in order for Sulphur Springs to vie for the title of America’s Best Restroom. They were the very first restrooms in the United States to be constructed entirely of two-way glass. You can find them smack dab in the middle of downtown sitting along the edge of Celebration Plaza.

These public restrooms are relatively normal once you are inside. They are each outfitted with a stainless steel toilet and sink. But the view is an entirely unique experience. While sitting on the toilet you have a panoramic view of Celebration park and its beautiful, granite and sandstone Romanesque style Hopkins County Courthouse. You could even watch people playing chess on the giant outdoor chess set.

Gives new meaning to glass ceiling

Even the ceiling is made of two-way mirror glass. This allows the interior of the bathroom to be illuminate by the bright Texas sun during the day. And at night the restroom is lit by LED lights that line the base of the structure, ensuring that the privy remains reflective and private.

As you can imagine, these masterpieces cost the city a pretty penny. But spending $54,000 paid off. Sulphur Springs won the Bronze Medal in a nationwide restroom competition that was hosted by supplies manufacturer Cintas. But more importantly, these public restrooms are considered works of art that certainly help elevate and beautify Celebration Plaza.

How it works

By now you must be wondering just how this works. For the illusion to work properly, the exterior of the structure needs to be lit more that the interior. The restrooms have absolutely no lights on the inside during the day. At night the LED lights that line the base of the exterior allow the illusion to remain intact. These are the only two functional, permanent and code compliant glass bathrooms in America. Users can see out clearly, but no one can see in. Trust me. I made very sure of that.

Inspiration for the bathrooms

The Glass Bathrooms of Sulphur Springs TX were inspired by “Don’t Miss A Sec”, which was a 2004 art installation by Monica Bonivicini. Bonivicini’s installation piece was first placed outside the Tate Britain National Gallery, near the River Thames as well as close to a construction site.

“Bonivicini’s initial inspiration—and the reason for the title—came from art openings, where people never want to go to the bathroom, lest they miss a gossip-worthy moment. The metaphor still works in Sulphur Springs, as one can use the bathroom while still glimpsing at town square events, such as a car show, concert or the farmer’s market. As Sulphur Springs city manager Marc Maxwell explained to KLTV, the city’s facility differs from Bonivicini’s installation in two key ways: it has a steel frame, and only three of the four walls are glass, as the fourth one holds the pipes, as well as heat and air conditioning.”

Let me know if you could go

So please let me know if you think you could boldly go, in the middle of a town square with people taking photos of the bathroom you are in! Sulphur Springs is about 90 miles northeast of Dallas and these amazing bathrooms are located at Celebration Plaza at125 S. Davis Street.