London Bridge
Since Roman times there has been a river crossing at London Bridge - a sole thread across the Thames until 1729 when Putney Bridge was opened and a further bridge at Westminster in 1750.
The original crossing point was where the Roman Roads of Shane Street and Watling Street converged at Borough High Street, this made the area an important terminus point for the stage coaches entering London and with this came the expansion of the Inn Trade in the Borough as the coaches did not want to cross the Thames to avoid the tolls that had to be paid, the bridge gates were closed at dusk.
The old bridge in one form or another lasted some 600 years but in the 1700s it was decided to pull down the structures on the bridge due to congestion and at the same time traffic going north would keep to the west side of the bridge while those going south would keep to the east - it is said that this is the reason we drive on the left and in 1782 the charge for crossing the bridge was stopped but congestion got worse and it was decided a new bridge was needed.
The first modern bridge was opened in 1831 and lasted till 1973 when it was sold to the US (who thought they had purchased Tower Bridge) the London Brdge we know today replaced the 1831 bridge.
In the 1880/1900 picture of the Bridge we can see the original Adelaide House on the far side, named after the Queen of the time - it was at one time an hotel.
The Adelaide House as we know it was constructed in 1924 in Art Deco style - at this time it was the highest building along the riverside. Now a Listed Building it was the first building to have air conditioning and is arguably the first modern office building in London.
London Bridge
Re: London Bridge
Posted by deegs
Some more images of London Bridge. Be great if you could find the same views today: -
1. 1950 - No19 Railway Approach
2. London Bridge towards the south
3. 1920’s – an aerial view of the Pool of London
4. I’m not sure if this aerial photo from 1920 has been on before, but it really shows the pre-war density of wharves.
5. An aerial view of the station and railway lines and surrounding area
6. An aerial image of Southwark Cathedral
Cheers, Deegs
Some more images of London Bridge. Be great if you could find the same views today: -
1. 1950 - No19 Railway Approach
2. London Bridge towards the south
3. 1920’s – an aerial view of the Pool of London
4. I’m not sure if this aerial photo from 1920 has been on before, but it really shows the pre-war density of wharves.
5. An aerial view of the station and railway lines and surrounding area
6. An aerial image of Southwark Cathedral
Cheers, Deegs
Re: London Bridge
London Bridge Railway Approach
Finding it very difficult to get up-to-date picture of London Bridge Approach - has anyone got an up-to-date picture? I have found an older picture to go with deegs 1950 picture. This one shows the MacFisheries shop in the London Bridge approach about 1920s, which can be seen behind the bus in the original picture. Note the prices - not only did they sell fish but other produce - including Poultry Rabbits and Fruit and Veg - one could do a variety shopping on the way home in those days.
Finding it very difficult to get up-to-date picture of London Bridge Approach - has anyone got an up-to-date picture? I have found an older picture to go with deegs 1950 picture. This one shows the MacFisheries shop in the London Bridge approach about 1920s, which can be seen behind the bus in the original picture. Note the prices - not only did they sell fish but other produce - including Poultry Rabbits and Fruit and Veg - one could do a variety shopping on the way home in those days.
Re: London Bridge
After all those years the shop on the corner (Oddbins) is a Liqueur store,same as the shop all those years ago.
Last edited by kiwi on Tue Sep 06, 2022 4:03 am, edited 5 times in total.
Re: LONDON BRIDGE/ LONDON BRIDGE STREET.
London Bridge Street formally Denham Street.
Last edited by kiwi on Mon Apr 27, 2020 1:13 am, edited 2 times in total.
Re: London Bridge
I think these are the stairs coming from Joiner Street.?
Stairs have all gone now and in its place is an escalator to the viewing platform for the Shard. 2019.
Thanks to smeagher1 (Sue Winstone) for that information.
Stairs have all gone now and in its place is an escalator to the viewing platform for the Shard. 2019.
Thanks to smeagher1 (Sue Winstone) for that information.
Last edited by kiwi on Tue Mar 24, 2020 3:54 am, edited 2 times in total.
London Bridge approach
London Bridge Approach
Yesterday and Today, on London Bridge Approach I would add to the story of this area with Yesterday Today and Tomorrow with a glimpse into what the fiuture holds for London Bridge Approach, with an artist impression of what we can expect to see in the future.
Picture from 1936 at London Bridge Approach
Picture from 1955 at London Bridge Approach
Today's picture of the terminal
And what we can expect in the future.
Yesterday and Today, on London Bridge Approach I would add to the story of this area with Yesterday Today and Tomorrow with a glimpse into what the fiuture holds for London Bridge Approach, with an artist impression of what we can expect to see in the future.
Picture from 1936 at London Bridge Approach
Picture from 1955 at London Bridge Approach
Today's picture of the terminal
And what we can expect in the future.
Re: London Bridge approach
London Bridge Underground Station
A series of pictures of the original London Bridge Underground Station. Does anyone remember using it The original entrance to the station was on the corner of Railway Approach and Denham Street. I cannot recall the building but has anyone any memories of it.
Picture 1 1925 2 1929 3 1964 4 Map of area 5 Building behind bus 6 New Undergound entrance
A series of pictures of the original London Bridge Underground Station. Does anyone remember using it The original entrance to the station was on the corner of Railway Approach and Denham Street. I cannot recall the building but has anyone any memories of it.
Picture 1 1925 2 1929 3 1964 4 Map of area 5 Building behind bus 6 New Undergound entrance
Re: London Bridge
First for me, I never knew that there were Turkish Baths here.
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