Paignton, Torbay Road 1896 (ref. 38569) | The large shelter and the Jubilee fountain replaced the grand wrought iron gates of Torbay House as the focal point of Torbay Road. By 1896 it had become an elegant residential road with just two or three plots left; here Mr Lamshead's famous Deller's café would be erected in 1910. At the top of the road was the Broadmead Hotel, the future site of Paignton's Picture House (the Torbay Cinema) which followed. Today, this delightful cinema is a grade II listed building. It was still running in its original state until it closed down in 1999 - a unique piece of living history was lost! In the background was the Marist Fathers' House, prominent on the hill with its white statue of St Mary. |  Add your own Memory
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Paignton, Victoria Street 1912 (ref. 64718) | A motorised bus waits for shoppers in Station Square alongside the horse-drawn cabs. Cabbies' fares at this time were: 'Drawn by 1 horse or 2 ponies or mules - One hour or less 3/- (15p) or extra half hour or less 1/6d, 1/- a mile. To Southfield 6d extra. To Primley Park 6d extra'. Horses were well catered for with a water trough and built-in toilet facilities! | Add your own Memory
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Paignton, Gardens and Wesleyan Church 1896 (ref. 38573) | Looking from the Hall (or the Palace Avenue Theatre) through the gardens, we can see Norton's and Welton's shoe shops. On the right is the new police station, with the Petty Sessions Division and Magistrates' Court (later demolished). Further down is the Post Office, erected in 1889. At the toe of the garden is the town's tribute to the men and women who lost their lives in two world wars (73066, page 68), some of whom may well have started their training as volunteers in the Drill Hall under the Public Hall/Theatre. | Add your own Memory
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Paignton, Public Hall 1896 (ref. 38575) | This Victorian edifice has been the venue for all manner of entertainment for all kinds of people over the decades, particularly as a repertory theatre. Operatic and dramatic groups, pantomime and various festivals which put on many good shows. Then during World War II the Public Hall was a garrison theatre for our servicemen and women and for the thousands of American troops stationed here prior to the D-Day landings; they had many famous artists to entertain them, including Anna Neagle, Glen Miller and almost certainly Bing Crosby. | Add your own Memory
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Paignton, Palace Avenue 1896 (ref. 38571) | This view looks towards Victoria Square. Opposite Foale's butchery was the Naval Bank, which eventually became Maypole Corner with its glitzy gilt and glass signboard. On the right, opposite Deller's Store, is the scientist Oliver Heavyside's family business - we can see the sign advertising pianos for hire. Oliver spent much time in his room above his brother's music shop working on electromagnetic theories that culminated in his discovery of the Heavyside Layer, named after him. | Add your own Memory
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Paignton, the Sands 1925 (ref. 78479) | 1925 saw a part of the south green made into a bowling green, and three years later a rather rough, but functional putting- green was made next to it. Boat trips off Paignton beach gave toddlers much fun walking along the landing stages. | Add your own Memory
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Paignton, the Sea Front 1912 (ref. 64711) | A large crowd can be seen in front of a temporary bandstand in a tent, a forerunner of the large canvas-covered bandstand. | Add your own Memory
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Paignton, the Beach and Pier c1955 (ref. P2017) | In the background is Hollacombe Gas Works. The retaining wall along Torquay Road was the 1886 halfway meeting place of the 'Flatpole' and 'Dicky Bird' bands of warring youths! In the centre is St Paul's Church, built in 1939. | Add your own Memory
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Paignton, the Devon Coast Country Club c1965 (ref. P2032) | This was a prisoner of war camp during World War II, then a holiday camp. It is now a housing estate. | Add your own Memory
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Paignton, Church 1889 (ref. 21533) | The parish church is dedicated to St John the Baptist, but it was known in 1488 and in 1755 as the church of SS Peter and Pawle, a name used by the followers of St Augustine in around 600AD. It is moderately larger now than the original Norman building. In the background is the old chapel and nunnery of St Radegun, who was queen of Thuringia in Lower Saxony from 518 to 587AD. In 1823, somewhat altered, the building became the first National School. | Add your own Memory
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Paignton, the Windmill, entrance to Promenade c1955 (ref. P2012) | A welcome to Paignton was still apparent when in 1955 a replica of one of the town's many 19th-century windmills was used as the rock garden centrepiece. To the left of the garden is the ageing tent-cum-Summer Pavilion, where John Berryman's 'Evening Stars' started to twinkle. | Add your own Memory
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Paignton, Parish Church Norman Door 1890 (ref. 25472) | The west door of the church, a fine example of Norman work, was removed from the earlier building and incorporated into Bishop Grandisson's extension. On each side of the door are stanchions, which are thought to be for resting a proclamation stage. If that theory is correct, this is where a large glove could have been displayed to open the medieval market and fair. | Add your own Memory
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Paignton, Church Screen 1889 (ref. 21536) | Within the church is a fine chantry chapel, unusual in a parish church. It is thought that Nicholas Kirkham may have built this between 1434 and 1516 not only as a family tomb, but also in gratitude following a spell of insanity. The de Kyrkhames were wealthy, high-ranking people from York and Durham. Nicholas married Agatha Denys of Collaton, and through her the village became known as Collaton Kirkham up to 1630. Here eleven generations of Kirkhams resided, and became involved with important offices in Devon. Their name lives on in medieval Kirkham House (see the drawing above) and Kirkham Street. | Add your own Memory
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Paignton, the Pier c1965 (ref. P2043) | This photograph shows pavement artists' squares ready for Children's Week competitions, and new Promenade lighting. The pier is somewhat changed, and now houses pin-tables, ghost rides and go-karts. | Add your own Memory
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Paignton, Vicarage Garden 1912 (ref. 64721) | The Bishops' Palace building was almost certainly attached to the inside of the curtilage wall; the bishops' tower has long been named by locals 'Coverdale's Tower'. | Add your own Memory
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Paignton, the Esplanade 1896 (ref. 38565) | In the centre of the picture, by the shelter, is the site of the late 15th-century Torbay House, which was built over an ale house of ancient origin. Houses close to the sea are known to have existed from very early times, and were no doubt places of food and rest for all seafarers. | Add your own Memory
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