Save 15%Save 15%
Francis Frith logo

The Francis Frith Collection Francis Frith

An Historical Photographic Archive of National Importance

Call: +44 (0)1722 716 376
Sign-in or Register
Contact Us
Trustpilot
Sign-in or Register
Delivery Info Help Contact Us
UK (£)
Choose A Francis Frith Shop
 UK (£) For UK & International delivery US ($) For US/Canada delivery
Call +44 (0)1722 716376
0 Items: View Basket
Shopping Basket
Trustpilot
  1. Home
  2. Watford
  3. Photos
  4. Watford, High Street c.1950

Watford, High Street c.1950
Photo ref: W40019
Made in Britain logo

Photo ref: W40019
Photo of Watford, High Street c.1950
All Photos
Previous
2 / 108
Next

More about this scene

Daniel Defoe wrote: 'Watford - the town is very long having but one street'. A few roads had been added during the following three hundred years, but the main High Street is still very long and busy. On the left, standing proudly above the other roofs, is Fisher's butchers shop. In 1881, Francis Fisher had the cottages on the site demolished and erected this imposing new shop. Further on stands the Rose and Crown and the Compasses public houses. Opposite is Cawdells' department store with its imposing 1930s frontage; demonstrating the commercial success and wealth of Watford are branches of the National Provincial, Barclays and Lloyds Banks.

Add to Album
What's an Album? Info
Share This Photo

Buy a Print

Unframed, Mounted, Framed and Canvas prints in a range of sizes and styles.

View Sizes & Prices

Create a Gift

Mug
On a Mug
Calendar
In a Calendar
Calendar
Multi-Photo Prints
In a
Multi-Photo Print
500 + 1000 Pcs
Jigsaw
Jigsaw
Tea Towel
Tea Towel
Tableware
Coasters/Table Mats
Tableware
Cushion Covers
Cushion Cover
Cushion
Wallpaper
Wallpaper

Memories of Watford, High Street c1950

For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our website to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was, prompted by the photographs in our archive. These memories are of Watford, High Street c.1950

Sparked a Memory for you?

If this has sparked a memory, why not share it here?

Add a memory of this photo

Bushey History

Apologies in advance this is not a Watford specific question but if anyone had any information on the building that is currently Falconer School in Bushey, I would love to know. I am aware it was previously the junior Masonic School, the secondary being based on The Avenue, but have heard rumours of it being a hospital, possibly for TB patients? Just curious to hear more if possible!
Add Comment
Added 25 August 2017

Cawdells
I have fond memories of this part of the town - I worked in Cawdells as a Saturday girl on the switchboard - great fun when you're 15! My mum bought all our bedlinen and other useful items in their January sales. My teens were spent visiting friends in the area and going to the Top Rank in the evenings for a good dance to Gino Washington and Tamla hits - great days! I also remember the old Sainsbury's with it's deep ...see more
Contact Contributor
Add Comment
Added 26 March 2014

Cross Street Watford
Carol Collins, nee Bass. We often had the cows come in our back garden in the 1950s, they used to walk them to market.
Contact Contributor
Add Comment
Added 23 January 2012

Watford Market
I can remember my mum taking us to Watford market, I just loved it, I was about 8 or 9, and loved looking at all the cheap jewellery, and coloured rubber balls, and toys, it had such a magical feel about it to me. Mum always had to have a bowl of cockles with vinegar and pepper on them, from the fish stall. We would just wander around, there were puppies for sale and kittens! And mum used to buy some Gibsons sausages ...see more
Add Comment
Added 13 February 2009

More about Image Optimisation

All our photos are printed as optimised versions of their originals, this process can take anything from 15 minutes to several hours. This ensures that the product you get shows the true quality that Frith photos are renowned for.

Example of image retouching:

Before
After

Genealogy & Research Images

Despite over 20 years’ work on the archive, these scans have still not been individually checked and may prove to be damaged, faded, or not of sufficient quality to ever be offered in our full product range. However, if you would particularly like to buy one of these please get in touch quoting the Frith negative number,(s) the town name and size of print you would like to buy. On receipt of your enquiry our archivist will check the scan and advise you if the quality is good enough.

What is an Album?

An album is a way to save a selection of Frith photos, maps and memories that are of interest to you.

Creating an Album enables you to make short lists and then make a final selection from the album. In particular it makes ordering things like calendars much easier - simply create an Album of the 12 photos you like and then use the Album when placng your order - our order process will give you this option.

You can create as many Albums as you want, so perhaps make one for your hometown, where you live now, where your parents live now etc.