Guest Jeremy Posted March 20, 2007 Share Posted March 20, 2007 The tower was part of the Fitzalan Market Hall, which was built in 1786 and demolished in 1930. The angle of the photograph makes it look taller and closer than it really is. It can also be seen in this photo from the Francis Frith collection. I'm going to take a wild guess that the stuff on top of the tower has something to do with the telegraph system. The trams in the picture are 'Rocker Panel' cars, which where mostly introduced in the 1920s. So I guess that, confirms the guess from the ladies fashion that the photo is from the 1920s. Jeremy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickjj Posted March 21, 2007 Share Posted March 21, 2007 Thanks Jeremy , another mystery solved. That's what great about this site, everybody pooling their knowledge at the same time as expanding their own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheffield History Posted March 21, 2007 Author Share Posted March 21, 2007 Good stuff - I'd never seen that tower before in any pictures so it came as a surprise to see it staring at me when I saw the picture earlier ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jeremy Posted March 21, 2007 Share Posted March 21, 2007 Just in case you're interested, the contraption on top of the tower probably was something to do with the telegraph. From Martin Olive's Central Sheffield (ISBN 0-7524-0011-8) p. 36: "It [the Fitzalan Market Hall, or Shambles] had been redesigned for the Duke of Norfolk in 1856 with the Exchange News Rooms and Telegraph office on the upper floor." Jeremy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickjj Posted March 21, 2007 Share Posted March 21, 2007 Hats off again to you Jeremy your research is brilliant :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docmel Posted March 21, 2007 Share Posted March 21, 2007 Regards the door, from what I remember its just a sheet metal door built into the wall at the very top of the hill (under Fitzalan Square). Also I'm almost sure that Bakers Hill still has its cobbles. I will get you a photo this weekend, parked cars permitting. I am sure I have read somewhere else that the door is the entrace to what used to be a lift up to the Square. When I was a kid I recall seeing, at the top of the steps where the lift would have emerged, the remains of a stone flag surround which would have been exactly over the top of the lift shaft . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docmel Posted March 21, 2007 Share Posted March 21, 2007 I am sure I have read somewhere else that the door is the entrace to what used to be a lift up to the Square. When I was a kid I recall seeing, at the top of the steps where the lift would have emerged, the remains of a stone flag surround which would have been exactly over the top of the lift shaft . Yep - remembered where I saw the article - was on the 'other' Sheffield Forum - mentioend a couple of times. Looks like it was always breaking down - so thats probably the reason it was removed - certainly dont remember it when I was a kid back in the fifties - but on the other forum they do have some quite senior citizens posting so they may recall something if someone asks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
syrup Posted May 6, 2007 Share Posted May 6, 2007 Hi fellow SH's just found this post card of Fitzalan Square take note of the reverse side with the coment from the Prime Minister and the Postal restrictions . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheffield History Posted May 6, 2007 Author Share Posted May 6, 2007 Read the bits in the stamp placeholder too ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jiginc Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 Also in the Square was the GEC Magnet House, nearly every large city in the country had a Magnet House, it was first about where Wigfalls was, GEC then moved across the square to the white building and that became Magnet House. GEC moved out in the early 60,s closing down most of the city centre offices and moving to the new fangled large industrial Estates like Trafford Park in Manchester. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardB Posted May 11, 2007 Share Posted May 11, 2007 Was there an "Elephant" related public house near here ? Of course there was, picture to follow, anyone any memories of it ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tsavo Posted May 11, 2007 Share Posted May 11, 2007 RichardB said: Was there an "Elephant" related public house near here ? Of course there was, picture to follow, anyone any memories of it ? Here it is, right opposite where the original Odeon front door was. http://www.picturesheffield.co.uk/cgi-bin/...jpgh/s16035.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardB Posted May 12, 2007 Share Posted May 12, 2007 Nice Elephant picture I'd completely forgotten I'd asked the question, you should put that link in with the Pubs .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tsavo Posted May 12, 2007 Share Posted May 12, 2007 Nice Elephant picture I'd completely forgotten I'd asked the question, you should put that link in with the Pubs .... Done.... lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest zep Posted September 9, 2007 Share Posted September 9, 2007 Has anyone got a photo of the Guinness clock erected during the 1966 World Cup Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeb Posted November 5, 2007 Share Posted November 5, 2007 years ago i did some work with an agency that was based down jew lane which was that little alley between what was corals and wigfalls (I think) . In those days (mid 90's) it was being used as offices and a meeting room but i often wondered what its original use was. I thought it was an abbatoir or some sort of storage area as there were hooks in the beams on the ceiling and it was always perishingly cold any idea's? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheffield History Posted November 5, 2007 Author Share Posted November 5, 2007 I'm not sure where you mean but am intrigued to find out ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveHB Posted November 5, 2007 Share Posted November 5, 2007 Some information and maps in this topic here ...Jew Lane And a map from 1988 .. Yes Zeb, i remember the little alley off Fitzalen Square. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeb Posted November 6, 2007 Share Posted November 6, 2007 yep thats the one..it came out at the side of barclays. Monday mornings wern't fun as it often got used as a loo on friday/sat nights so the cleaning lady also used to bleach the steps and path first thing on a monday. I also vividly remember a lady of the the night attempting to 'entertain' a client whilst lent up against the window...a quick tap on the window and a chorus of "not here please" and they soon disappeared. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
syrup Posted November 6, 2007 Share Posted November 6, 2007 yep thats the one..it came out at the side of barclays. Monday mornings wern't fun as it often got used as a loo on friday/sat nights so the cleaning lady also used to bleach the steps and path first thing on a monday. I also vividly remember a lady of the the night attempting to 'entertain' a client whilst lent up against the window...a quick tap on the window and a chorus of "not here please" and they soon disappeared. Number 4 sold for refurbishment http://www.ccreauctions.co.uk/DesktopDefau...=D&HID=2651 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeb Posted November 7, 2007 Share Posted November 7, 2007 Thats the one sold! I'll be damned.. :rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest trev1 Posted January 12, 2008 Share Posted January 12, 2008 anyone remember the transport office in square where yu could get bus&tram timetables also gents&ladies toilets.they were underground. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knightstemplar Posted January 12, 2008 Share Posted January 12, 2008 The transport office in the square. My uncle worked down there, when you went down the steps you passed through a line of cigarette smog as you went from fresh air into the smoke filled room. Hated it, being a young kid I always wanted to get out into the fresh air again. Sue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickjj Posted February 8, 2008 Share Posted February 8, 2008 I used to queue to get a taxi in the square but never a tank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HughW Posted July 6, 2008 Share Posted July 6, 2008 From a recent message on SheffieldForum: The Pevsner Architectural Guide to Sheffield says: The White Building c1908 by Gibbs and Flockton, one of the most original buildings of its date in Sheffield with a faience facade enlivened by ten figures in relief by Alfred and William Tory depicting Sheffield trades. Four stories with a raised attic storey in the centre, French windows with balconies on the first floor with medallions above. Further balconies on the third floor which has unusual ogee-shaped hoods above the windows incorporating a scallop or fanlight design. Similar but segmental hoods over the first floor windows. Adam-style frieze at the top of the building . Arcaded ground floor, the entrance with its original name plaque is recessed behind one of the elliptical arches. Hugh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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