This is Park House, and back in 1892 when it was built, it commanded fine views, east across the fields, and south towards the estate of Scotscroft.
It was set back from Wilmslow Road, was fronted by an impressive circular drive, with outhouses to the north and had fifteen rooms.
Now I say it was built in 1892, but it may have been earlier.
The owners of the building which is now a hotel will be able to firm up that date, but I know that it does not appear in the Rate Books before 1892.
And if I have got this right, its first resident was a Mrs. Ellen Blacklock, who was a widow, who gave her occupation as a partner in the printing and publishing company of Blacklock, which were “engravers, printers and publishers and publishers of Bradshaw’s Guides”.*
And yes, these were the same Bradshaw’s Guides which have featured on that television series with Michael Portilo.
They were a mix of railway timetables, and guidebooks. The timetables were essential in an age when there were a multiplicity of different railway companies, and matching arrival and departure times could be critical.
And because the railways offered cheaper and quicker travel around the country and beyond, the discerning traveler will have found the descriptions of places and hotels very useful.
The Guides were originally published by W.J. Adams, but by 1882 if not earlier Henry Blacklock was responsible.
The offices of Blacklock’s were in Albert Square, where they occupied a large building between Queen Street and Lloyd Street, facing out onto Albert Square.
The Blacklock’s were in residence on Wilmslow Road by 1871, and in 1892 Mrs. Blacklock moved into the newly built Park House, which was owned by James Watt.
Her tenancy there was short, and she died in the following year, leaving £34, 153.
After which the house was occupied by a Mr. Frederick Bridgford, who was a “Land Agent” and still there a decade later.
In time I will return to Park House and burrow deeper into its story.
Location; Didsbury
Pictures; Park House, 2019, from the collection of Andy Robertson, Park House in 1893, form the OS map of South Lancashire, 1893, and the company offices, on Albert Square, circa 1890, from Goad’s Fire Insurance Maps, circa 1900, courtesy of Digital Archives, http://www.digitalarchives.co.uk/
*Slater's Durectory of Manchester & Salford, 1886
 |
| Park House, 2019 |
Now I say it was built in 1892, but it may have been earlier.
The owners of the building which is now a hotel will be able to firm up that date, but I know that it does not appear in the Rate Books before 1892.
And if I have got this right, its first resident was a Mrs. Ellen Blacklock, who was a widow, who gave her occupation as a partner in the printing and publishing company of Blacklock, which were “engravers, printers and publishers and publishers of Bradshaw’s Guides”.*
 |
| Park House, 1893 |
They were a mix of railway timetables, and guidebooks. The timetables were essential in an age when there were a multiplicity of different railway companies, and matching arrival and departure times could be critical.
And because the railways offered cheaper and quicker travel around the country and beyond, the discerning traveler will have found the descriptions of places and hotels very useful.
The Guides were originally published by W.J. Adams, but by 1882 if not earlier Henry Blacklock was responsible.
The offices of Blacklock’s were in Albert Square, where they occupied a large building between Queen Street and Lloyd Street, facing out onto Albert Square.
 |
| H. Blacklock, printers, Albert Square, circa 1890 |
Her tenancy there was short, and she died in the following year, leaving £34, 153.
After which the house was occupied by a Mr. Frederick Bridgford, who was a “Land Agent” and still there a decade later.
In time I will return to Park House and burrow deeper into its story.
Location; Didsbury
Pictures; Park House, 2019, from the collection of Andy Robertson, Park House in 1893, form the OS map of South Lancashire, 1893, and the company offices, on Albert Square, circa 1890, from Goad’s Fire Insurance Maps, circa 1900, courtesy of Digital Archives, http://www.digitalarchives.co.uk/
*Slater's Durectory of Manchester & Salford, 1886
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