Photograph Collections:
Peep Into The Past
This page is dedicated to the remaining evidence of times gone by in Brighton.
If you look closely enough, dotted around town are signs of what used to be. Some obvious and some not so and some only revealed for a short period of time. Another work in progress, so if you know of any I may have missed, please get in touch.
This tunnel was suposedly inspired Lewis Carroll to write about the rabbit hole in Alice In Wonderland.
The inscription reads:
These Esplanades walks and buildings are the private property of those owners of the houses of Kemp Town who have subscribed towards the expenses and to whom only there is the right to entrance and kept up at their expense. Visitors are imformed that it is the DUTY OF THE CONSTABLE to be constantly on the premises, and to keep the whole of the place free from intrusion of all persons whose conduct or appearance seem to justify their exclusion, and if any of the company require his assistance and protection he will attend immediately on the ringing of the BELL.
In the early 1900s it became Duponts Riding Academy.
During the shop fit this old shop signage has been uncovered. The new owners plan to remove this signage.
Caffyns Ltd - Automobile engineers and agents were in business here from at least 1924 to at least 1936. From at least 1947 it was Piper Howard Motor Engineers.
It says 'Baker & Son, Western Road. Est 1844'.
F. Homewood was in business here from at least 1872. The family were still in business here in 1973 where my research stopped. They may have been there a fair bit longer than that. Over 100 years of family business. Sadly not related to our Homewoods but a family that originated from Cuckfield.
Blink and you'll miss it, like I have up until now. Although very faint, it's worthy of a mention I think.
J Sargent & Son Monumental Masons were in business here from at least 1901. The last entry for their business, that I could find was 1973. But possibly they were there for a few years after that date.
