what is this recessed plastic shelf in my apartment bathroom?

[d3k]

i've been totally stumped as to what this thing is in my bathroom. it's next to the bathtub, and across from the sink. no moving parts. i live in an apartment complex in california that was built in the 1950's.

i posted a thread about it on reddit, but no confirmed answers yet.

any one know? i've just been using it to hang a towel. i've provided a couple shots showing some context.

 

[Chris]

Looks like a dispenser of some sort? Did your place used to be some sort of public place?

 

[d3k]

Looks like a dispenser of some sort? Did your place used to be some sort of public place?

Nope. Not a public place. It's a 2 bedroom / 1 bathroom townhouse.

 

[havasu]

I'm wondering if it use to be an old element heater which has been removed and the previous owner built a crap collecting shelf where you could dispense soap, kotex, etc?