The Preston History Map Website

Whinfield House Stone Gateposts Whinfield House was originally the home of Henry Newsham Peddar .  The house was later occupied by Edmund Robert Harris .  The only evidence remaining of Whinfield House are a pair of stone gateposts that are still in situ.  They currently look like this. Whinfield House Stone Gateposts Whinfield House Stone Gateposts Whinfield House Stone Gateposts Whinfield House Stone Gateposts It is likely that they have been moved slightly from their original position.  The road was widened along Pedders Lane.  The Ordnance Survey Six inch scale maps from the end of the nineteenth century show a benchmark.  This is possibly on the gates.  Georeferenced maps, comparing a modern day satellite image to the maps, appear to have the benchmark in the middle of the modern road.  That being the case, it seems that they have been moved further up the former Whinfield House driveway in a north-westerly direction. Whinfield on a Lat...

Legal Quay Boundary Stone from 1844 at Broadgate 1844 stone which marked the east boundary on Dairies' Wharf of the Legal Quay, Preston.  It was situated on the north bank of the Ribble a few hundred yards from Penwortham Old Bridge.  Marked LQ EB 1844. The western boundary stone has never been found. 1844 stone that marks the East Boundary of the Legal Quay Legal Quay Boundary Stone Marked LQ EB 1844 at Broadgate ~ Local history buffs were pleased to see a boundary stone for the old port of Preston in Lancashire, opposite the junction of Broadgate with Meath Road, had been preserved, following some River Ribble flood defence improvement work. The port had to have clear boundaries for Customs purposes, and these were established in 1844.  This marker is for the eastern boundary (see EB inscribed on the front of the stone) of the legal quay (LQ on top).  Unfortunately, the western boundary marker had been lost some time ago.  If anybody is familiar with the city,...

World War II Pillbox A pillbox is a small fortified structure or blockhouse, usually made of concrete. They were generally camouflaged against the landscape to hide the occupants from enemy view. Pillboxes were built in various designs, with many in round, square and hexagonal shapes. Their designs were often compared to medicine containers made in the early 20th century to store pills; hence, the term ‘pillbox’ became popularised. The term ‘pillbox’ first appeared in print on the front page of The Times newspaper on 2nd August 1917. Preston's Last World War II Pillbox Preston's Last World War II Pillbox on Wallend Road Preston's Last World War II Pillbox Preston's Last World War II Pillbox on Wallend Road ~ Further reading and sources of information A Brief Introduction to Military Pillboxes - The Historic England Blog https://heritagecalling.com/2023/10/19/a-brief-introduction-to-military-pillboxes/ . Types Of Pillbox - The Pillbox Study Group http://www.pillbox-study...

Preston Docks Foundation Stone The foundation stone for Preston Docks was laid by Edward, Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII) on June 17th 1885. This event marked the start of the construction of what would become one of the largest inland docks in England.  The docks were officially opened in 1892, making them the largest inland dock in England at the time. The Preston Docks Foundation Stone is inscribed with the following text: THIS THE FIRST STONE OF THE ALBERT EDWARD DOCK CONSTRUCTED BY THE CORPORATION OF PRESTON WAS LAID BY HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES KG KT. & C ON THE 17TH JULY A.D. 1885 IN THE 49TH YEAR OF THE REIGN OF HER MOST GRACIOUS MAJESTY QUEEN VICTORIA JOHN FORSHAW MAYOR WILLIAM GILBERTSON CHAIRMAN OF THE RIBBLE COM (Company) HENRY HAMER TOWN CLERK EDWARD GARLICK M.I.C.E. (Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers) ENGINEER THOMAS A.WALKER CONTRACTOR The foundation stone for Preston Docks was laid on June 17th 1885 Preston Dock opened i...