Rockhills image

mcleanmuir · Post by **mcleanmuir** » 4 Apr 2008 16:05

I have been informed that I have an image of Rockhills, it can be seen here http://www.beckenhamhistory.co.uk/gallery13.html image number 59.

mcleanmuir · Post by **mcleanmuir** » 6 Apr 2008 11:08

Has anyone any idea what year this photo was taken? On the back of the image is written "From the Tower - Crystal Palace" I presume this is the TV Tower.

tulse hill terry · Post by **tulse hill terry** » 6 Apr 2008 12:07

Do you not think it could be the original north water tower, which was open to the public?

mcleanmuir · Post by **mcleanmuir** » 7 Apr 2008 11:29

Yes it could be. This photo was in a batch of 1930s images.

Where was Rockhills in relation to the TV mast?

What we need is Falkor and his brilliant map overlays.

Hello hello Falkor this is nighthawk are you receiving me, over.

tulse hill terry · Post by **tulse hill terry** » 7 Apr 2008 16:58

This picture looks more turn of the century to me.

Not very colourful map of the North Tower in relation to Rockhills, the Regency house that Joseph Paxton lived at.

This is supposed to be a wedding at Rockhills.

Copyright The Devonshire Collection, Chatsworth.

Another view. from " A Thing In disguise. The Visionary Life of Joseph Paxton" by Kate Colquhoun.

MartinH · Post by **MartinH** » 7 Apr 2008 19:26

How in hells name do these magnificent buildings disappear?- I'm sure it survived the war. The framework behind looks like the lattice work structure that supported the massive water tanks which were demolished only recently.

Steve Grindlay · Post by **Steve Grindlay** » 7 Apr 2008 21:53

tulse hill terry wrote:This picture looks more turn of the century to me.

It's definitely after 1924 when the bungalow, 3rd building from left on the far side of Westwood Hill, was built.

tulse hill terry · Post by **tulse hill terry** » 8 Apr 2008 12:57

Wow Steve, you've got great eyesight!

mcleanmuir · Post by **mcleanmuir** » 8 Apr 2008 14:59

I am informed that the North Tower was 284ft high, this photo looks as if it was taken a bit higher up. But then it looks as if the the photo is to far back to be taken from the TV mast.

In the photo a path can be seen leading away. Is this the same path that is on the map?

tulse hill terry · Post by **tulse hill terry** » 8 Apr 2008 16:23

In the absence of any other evidence, all we can do is speculate.

The the alignment of the shot, would fit for both the north water tower and the later television tower. The television mast would have been fyrther back than the water tower.

At what rate were the houses shown demolished, would Steve know?

Didn't Falkor post a pic showing a similar, and definitely later view, somewhere on this forum?

Falkor · Post by **Falkor** » 8 Apr 2008 21:30

It was probably taken between 1924 and 1950 then I reckon...
This one is much more easier to date:

mcleanmuir · Post by **mcleanmuir** » 9 Apr 2008 17:56

Great image Falkor.

Looking at the map and Falkor's image. I would say that the center of the TV Tower is where the the N is on the North Transept as marked on the map. Looking at the original photo I would say that the image was taken from the North Tower that is further back.

Compare the original photo with Falkor's image and you will see that some buildings are in both, but if you look closer at Falkor's you will see some flats north of the tower that are not in the original.

I will put a link to a higher res shot of the original as I have never worked out how you get one on here.[/img]

mcleanmuir · Post by **mcleanmuir** » 9 Apr 2008 18:04

Here is link to image http://www.beckenhamhistory.co.uk/fromthetower.jpg

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Rockhills image

Rockhills image