"The Corn Exchange.", 1896.

Social History (Museum of St Albans)

2005.5792

Half tone print of a photograph of the Corn Exchange on Market Place, St Albans, with a figure on a bicycle and a horse and wagon in the street in front. On the far right, partly out of shot, the building known as the Gables bears the sign for 'Family Drapers', suggesting that this photograph was taken in the late 19th century, since this sign was known to be on this building in a painting held by the museum dating from 1893 (see PX 3607). Edwardian postcards showing this building show that by the early 20th century this sign had changed. St Albans Corn Exchange was opened in 1857. It was built to replace the old open-sided Market House, which had previously stood on the same site. There had been complaints about this building for at least half a century before since its open sides allowed the rain in, spoiling farmers' sacks of grain. The cost of the new building, £1470, was raised by public subscription and the new building, designed by Coventry architect James Murray, was opened in September 1857 by the mayor of St Albans, John Lewis.

1896

PX5786cornEx.tif

Amy Cooke

The Corn Exchange, Market Place, St Albans, Hertfordshire, UK.

PWD box 40 (red).

18/08/2006