Ref.wdia053
The bridge you see today was built at the beginning of the last century. It was opened by George V on 7th July 1913. He performed the ceremony by pressing an electric button outside the Town Hall, which released the rope barrier across the bridge - a gun was then fired to signal that the 'opening' was completed!

Enlarge
Order a copy

Ref.wdia054
The original design for the Museum and Library, which eventually opened in 1857.
The architect, Dobson, gave the building an elaborate stone facade. Unfortunately this design for the new Museum and Library building was rejected as it would have been too expensive to build


Enlarge
Order a copy

Top

Ref.wdia055
The Barley Mow, the half-timbered building in the centre, is one of the town's oldest buidings. It was saved along with the Victorian covered Fish Market in the redevelopment of Golden Square.
The building to the left of the Barley Mow was formerly the office of William Beamont, Warrington’s first mayor. The building you see today is a replica of this original building.

Enlarge
Order a copy

Ref.wdia056
Holy Trinity Church was consecrated in 1709 and became a more convenient alternative to the far-flung St. Elphin’s for Anglicans living in the town centre.
The Church was entirely rebuilt in 1760 to create a larger church. The architect is thought to be James Gibbs who designed Bank Hall, now the Town Hall.
This photographer made the most of the demolition work on Bridge Street to take this unusually clear view of the exterior of Holy Trinity, circa 1905.

Enlarge
Order a copy

Ref.wdia057
Holy Trinity Church, Sankey Street
An early interior photograph (circa 1870) of Holy Trinity showing the box pews and the chandelier once hung in the House of Commons.

Enlarge
Order a copy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ref.wdia058
The clock tower on Holy Trinity is a prominent landmark in the town centre.
The bell you hear striking the hour was originally in the Old Court House before this was demolished to build the new market hall.
In 1862 the clock tower was rebuilt and the new illuminated clock face was installed


Enlarge
Order a copy

Top

Ref.wdia059
Originally named Bank Hall, the building was designed by the renowned English architect James Gibbs. It was built to suit the new status of Thomas Patten and became the home to successive generations of his family.
The Hall came into the hands of the Corporation in 1872 when John Wilson Patten (later Lord Winmarleigh) decided to sell up, as the locality became more and more industrial. The Corporation bought the hall and grounds with the help of the industrialist George Crosfield.
This photograph shows the royal cars, carrying Edward VII and Queen Alexandra, passing in front of the Town Hall during the Royal Visit in 1909.

Enlarge
Order a copy

Ref.wdia060
The gates were made by the Coalbrookdale Foundry and exhibited at the International Exhibition in 1862.
The gates were admired by Frederick Monks of Monks Hall Foundry, Warrington. He decided to present them to the town as a gift and they were officially opened by him on Walking Day 1895. The special occasion was captured by the local photographer Thomas Birtles.

Enlarge
Order a copy

Ref.wdia061
A drawing of the old Academy by Dr. James Kendrick (junior), shows how the building appeared on its opening in 1757.
The Academy only had five students in its first year, but by 1761 there were sixty-nine. The Academy’s most famous tutor was Dr. Joseph Priestley who taught at the new Academy premises in Academy Street.

Enlarge
Order a copy

Ref.wdia062
Arpley Station opened on May 1st 1854 as a joint St. Helen’s, Warrington and Stockport Station. The Station closed in 1958 and was demolished in 1960.

Enlarge
Order a copy

Top

Ref.wdia063
The two Arpley Cannons which were positioned in front of Arpley Station were brought to Warrington as trophies from the Crimean War of 1854 - 56.
The cannons were unfortunately sacrificed to the Second World War effort in June 1940 along with the Walker Fountain in Bank Park.

Enlarge
Order a copy

Ref.wdia064
The Bridewell in Irlam Street was the town prison from 1820 to 1900, when it was replaced by new premises on Arpley Street.

Enlarge
Order a copy

Ref.wdia065
This ornate fountain was presented to the town by members of the Walker family, in 1899, in memory of their grandfather, the local brewer Peter Walker.
The fountain was made by Walter MacFarlane & Co. of Glasgow. Two other fountains made to the same design still survive, one in Glasgow and one in Pretoria, South Africa.
The fountain must have been sorely missed by the people of Warrington after it was scrapped, in 1942, to help with the war effort.

Enlarge
Order a copy

Ref.wdia066
The Old Court House was demolished in 1854. This stood in the Market Place and was demolished to make way for the new Market building.
You can see from this photograph, taken during demolition, how dressed stone columns from the old Friary were used in its construction.

Enlarge
Order a copy

Top

Ref.wdia067
There is evidence of the existence of a thirteenth century Friary in Warrington from excavations and early writings. It occupied a site between Bridge Street and Friars Gate. The excavations in 1886, led by William Owen, revealed a well-preserved choir and a less well-preserved nave.
You can see the tiling they uncovered in this photograph taken by Birtles.

Enlarge
Order a copy

Top