Luton Village.

Luton Village hasn't changed all that much over the years. Buildings have come and gone like all villages and Towns. The High Street has pretty much remained the same in layout. Here, via pictures is Luton Village through the years.


One of the first pictures of Luton back in the 1700s

Waterworks pumping station. Luton, 1857

The Limes and its cottages.

The next picture is a view looking towards the High street.Note, No shops!.

The Hen and Chickens began life as a farmhouse in 1702. It began to sell beer in 1746 and still does till this day.

This small building was the Blacksmiths forge in 1890. Owned by the Hen and Chickens. It burnt down shortly after this picture was taken

Parnell cottages 1884. Later the site of Police houses opposite the Catholic church.

In 1814 John Ackworth erected a small chapel for the people of Luton on Capstone Road. Its use declined and in 1835 he gave it to the Bible christians later the Methodist who used it till 1885.

By then the chapel was to small and a new chapel was built on Luton Road. This chapel was used till 1985 and was then demolished and new flats were put up in its place.

The new flats now on the site of the chapel.

In 1842 the first Christchurch was built on what was then a field on the outskirts of the village.But as the village grew and merged with Chatham. It became too small for its congregation.

In 1883 a new church was built on the opposite side on Luton road. Due to subsidence it was demolished in 1982

In 1983 a third Christchurch was built.

In 1902 the Tram depot was built. A bus depot remained in Luton till 1995.

The Luton Depot works car. It was built in the depot from the truck and electrical equipment that was salvaged from the 1902 Brompton tram accident.

View looking towards the Hen and Chickens

The same view in the 1990s

A few of the pubs in Luton. The Brickmakers Arms.

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The New Inn.

Here is an early photo of Luton Junior School

A couple of photos of Luton road.

Children and onlookers watch a group of cadets marching down Luton Road. 1900

So you see, Luton hasn't really changed that much over the years.

Acknowledgements.
I would like to thank www.kenthistoryforum.co.uk members numanfan and Lutonman for there kind permisson for using there photos of Lutons Christchurch and other photos that appear here.
Further information about Luton and Christchurch can be found here. http://www.kenthistoryforum.co.uk/index.php?board=110.0
and here. http://www.kenthistoryforum.co.uk/index.php?board=90.0

Half a Mild and flat caps.

Continuing on the theme of forgotten Pub's.  I found this picture of The Red Lion. Rochester.  This wonderful looking pub was on the right at the bottom of Star Hill. It stood on both Corporation Street and the High St.

What I wouldnt give to be able to walk through those doors at the time this picture was taken. The smell of Cigarette and pipe smoke thick in the air. The knock, knock sound of dominoes on wooden tables. The hum of conversation and the clink of glasses.


The following photo's are of pubs long gone now.

Old Iron Ship. Gillingham High Street. Demolished to widen the road. This old pub was were the Noodle house is now.

The Coach Makers Arms. Chatham. All these building were torn down and the Tesco's building is there now.

The White Swan. Chatham High Street.

King William IV. The Brook. Chatham.

Last Orders.

If you had walked down Chathams High street in 1880, You would have come across a pub called The Crown & Thistle, The then owner was a Edward Winch of Chatham. The Licensee - Ann Tonkin.

In 1890 the pub name was changed to the United Service - or more commonly known as The Long Bar.  

The United Service was at No. 188, Chatham High Street

1909

Interior of the Long Bar

The sign for the long Bar can be seen on the left.
A J Whitehead opposite is now the entrance to the Pentagon centre.

A comparison view. Woolworths is now an extension of Primark.



When this pub closed in 1936 the "title" moved to The Red Lion ( Below ) on the corner of the High Street and Military Road

It's now H. Samuels the Jewellers. If you stand in this shop you can see how long this bar would have been.