250-260 Lewisham High Street--before and after the railway!

[will greenwood]

you think the Saxons or Tudors would have artifically dug this out and built bridges as simply a road drain?

Saxons?
Tudors?
you're way ahead of me mate.

are there any signs of saxon or tudor bridges?
There are no signs of even a stream on the map..so its not something to be bridges,,,they are simple crossings.

I can find nothing to connect the ravensbourne with this...
you must realise, this was a flood plain, and people would go to immense pains to stop a major route from flooding...as would the ravensbourne of course....every year.
as you can see on this later map...it starts abruptly around the church and then just stops..
1833;

[Sid & Ham]

Re the 1862 map, I've been told the George pub is currently boarded up and closed, so another pub gone from Lewisham?

Has anyone seen the documents and photos that Lewisham Library is said to hold relating to Norfolk & Prior, Catford estate agents and surveyors?

E. A. Stone of the firm designed Lewisham War memorial and I think designed the ABC Cinema by Catford one way.

[Sid & Ham]

Hello Falkor and others,

If you don't mind travelling to Hither Green I've found where I can hang my pictures of Lewisham.

The first one is a design for Lewisham Central Library in 1892 by Albert L Guy.

[Sid & Ham]

Here's a painting of Lewisham Shopping Centre by Hugh McKenzie who lived in Lewisham.

Another one I like is of Lewisham Hospital.

The website has other pictures of Lewisham that were recently exhibited in the West End.

He is said to be one of the great surveyors of 20th century London Life, charting the changing street scene from before the Second World War through the post-war reconstruction.

Commenting in the Lewisham Mercury Dr Jane Hamilton archivist at Messum's said Mr. McKenzie's knowledge of architecture was formidable and with the huge changes to the urban landscape happening at the time it was as though he had an urgency to record it all. "In capturing the gritty urban texture of the everyday and recording it for posterity he grants us a glmpse of London past at a very specific, testing moment in its history," said Dr Hamilton.

[Sid & Ham]

Here's a picture of Richmond Villa that stood with other houses where the 3 tower blocks now stand.

[jackieboo]

great photos!

I remember the new Ladywell Baths being opened with Prince Philip(?) landing in front in a helicopter.

I also have memories of walking from home in Adelaide Ave with a doll to the doll's hospital in a shop opposite the fire station.

We regularly went to garden parties in the vicarage opposite the police station.

The Black Bull used to be a favourite in the 70's too, then wondering around and down to the George in Catford then walking home to Sydenham.

Am I right in thinking Catford used to be called Catsfoot?? the shape of the original bridge????

[Big Ben]

Two Lewisham buildings have recently been awarded a Grade II listing:

233-241 Lewisham High St, "Rileys" Former Temperance Billiard Hall - the designation says "1909-10 by Norman Evans. Built as a billiard hall where alcohol was not served to combat alcoholism fuelled by the many public houses of the 19th century." (Listed Feb 1 2008.)

The Old Swimming Baths, Ladywell Road. Public baths built in 1884 by Wilson, Son and Thomas Aldwinckle. Red brick Gothic style building with prominent tower. One of the earliest surviving public baths in the capital. (Listed Nov 10 2006).

Photos and descriptions of all Lewisham's listed buildings can be found at:
www.imagesofengland.co.uk (although recent additions may not yet be available).

[Falkor]

Opening post has been updated!!!
OMG, this stretch just has to be the best example for showcasing the evolution of Lewisham High Street. If you thought 1860 was early for a photograph then check out the new one inserted above that! The photographer would rather be spending his time in Lewisham than Crystal Palace.

Here's another 1854 view showing the high street stream north of the The Vicarage/Ladywell Road.

Apparently, the stream contained trout and went all the way to the Ravensboure near the big 1990s roundabout.

[will greenwood]

thats a great picture...
i'd like to know where they connect, thats all...
amazing stuff!

[Falkor]

It's just too amazing for me, man... I mean, how can anyone not be interested in local history after seeing this topic? This is, like, the best comparison to have ever been presented. I'm very chuffed indeed. 1854, 1860, 1868, 189X, present day....WOW! If only other parts of the parish had been recorded in such a way... it brings the high street buildings, stream, and railway, together.

[tulse hill terry]

The photographer would rather be spending his time in Lewisham than Crystal Palace.

Don't forget that after Delamotte, Negretti & Zambra had exclusive rights to photgraphing the Crystal Palace. Outside of portrait photgraphy in the controlled setting of a studio, creating topographical photgraph would have been the equivalent of producing holograms on the spot, the negative having to be developed immediately.

All of which makes this early image even more exceptional!

[Sid & Ham]

Re Lewisham High Street here is an Edwardian bowls match taken at the rear of the buildings and this is a present day view from what is now Curness Street.

By the way at the end of Curness Street there seems to be an outlet into the river (Ravensbourne ?).