A pocket sized booklet of images, folded in concertina fashion,
published by the Sheffield Telegraph at the end of the
nineteenth century sometime between 1891 and 1898[2].
The views were from a series of pictures taken by Wilson
and Frith (see advertisement above, right); curiously, the photos
have been redrawn to make plates. Only the first three images, out
of a total of sixteen, were actually of the Matlocks yet all the
advertisers, apart from one advertising a similar album of Llandudno,
were all from Matlock or Matlock Bath and their names were to be
be found in local trade directories.
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| Matlock Bath and Riber Castle |
The first picture is of Matlock Bath, and shows the village a few
years after the Jubilee Bridge was constructed across the river.
The triangular area bordered by a pathway beside the Derwent
is the newly laid out Promenade. We can see North Parade and
Fountain Villas, and both the Clarence and Clarence Terrace had
been built. The skating rink can be seen at the far side of Clarence
Terrace. Towards the right is Guilderoy and Masson Cottage with
Ashfield (The Villa) just below. The Round House, at the top
of Holme Road, is peeping over the top of the large tree (bottom,
centre). Riber Castle, of course, dominates the opposite hillside
above the railway station and there are a few houses in Starkholmes
below the castle.
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| Matlock Bridge and Bank |
The second image shows us Dale Road, the commercial centre
of Matlock Bridge. The shops opposite what used to be The
Old English Hotel had yet to be built. Look carefully at
the rear of the Old English; you can see the damage
caused by the fire in November 1884[3].
The premises with the chimney at the far end of Dale Road
and close to the Bridge was the Rag Mill, which must have been
built between 1876 and 1884, and was later was occupied by
Poyser's Patents[4].
Although Matlock Bank was largely undeveloped at this time
there were some properties on Bank Road and the line of Smedley
Street can be seen across the hillside, near the hydro and
its church. The two houses on Lime Grove Walk indicate that
the original picture dates from about 1890. The replacement
for the old Crown Hotel, is hidden behind trees but the edge
of it is just about discernable to the left of No.1 Crown Buildings
is the large development on Causeway Lane. The Hall Leys was
not much more than a field, but the football stand can be seen
on the side closest to the river; this was where Matlock Town
FC played their matches for a long time.
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| High Tor, Matlock |
The last of the Matlock and District images is of High Tor,
the River Derwent and Artists' Corner. Tor Cottage/the
High Tor Guest House or Hotel almost hidden amongst the trees.
Opposite Tor Cottage's former coach house was the blacksmiths.
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|
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On the back:
Advertisements for
Mary Whittaker's Long Tor Cavern[5]
and for Highland Whisky available from Arthur William Upton
at the County and Station Hotel[2].
Both Matlock Bath. |
One of Mr. Upton's
"Old Tor"
(Special Liqueur)
Highland Whisky bottles.
|
Other images in the album, not included here:
Chatsworth from Derwent
Chatsworth and Bridge from the West
Haddon Hall, East Front
Haddon Hall, Dorothy Vernon's Stairway
Bakewell & Church
Vernon Chapel, Bakewell Church - see Bakewell
Parish Church - Monuments inside All Saints' (Vernon Chapel)
Ashbourne Church - see Ashbourne, St. Oswald's Parish Church - Exterior
Dovedale, looking up
Dovedale, Lion's Face
Other booklets
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References:
[1] Hartley and Phillips advertised in Kelly's
1891 Directory. They are mentioned in Bank
Road & the Steep-Gradient Tramway (1893-1927). Evans advertised
in Kelly's 1908 Directory.
Also see Dale Road, Matlock and Matlock:
Dale Road, About 1904
[2] One of the advertisers, Arthur William
Upton, was living in Matlock Bath in 1891 (see the
census entry). He advertised in Kelly's
1895 Directory but not in the one for 1899. He had married
Amy Cooper in Matlock Bath in 1896 and his wife and daughter
were still in the village at the time of the
1901 census. Mr. Upton was in Melbourne and had become a valuer.
Also see: County & Station,
Dale Road.
[3] Fire broke out in the early hours of
the morning of Friday 7 November. Masson Mill's Fire Engine proved
to be inadequate and a telegram had to be sent to Derby; the Fire
Brigade arrived at 8a.m.! Fortunately, much of the furniture and
effects were rescued, but the damage was estimated as being between £9,000
and £10,000. Also see Dale
Road & The Old English Hotel
[4] Information from Colin Goodwyn
The mill chimney can also be seen on Matlock
- looking towards Hackney, early 20th Century and Matlock:
Holt Lane and Dale Road, about 1900. You have to look hard,
but it also can be seen on Matlock
Bank and Bridge, 1900-02 (second image) and Matlock
Bank, the Hall Leys and Dale Road, 1912-14 (top image). There
is another view of the rag mill on The
Bridge (4), and the Broad Walk.
[5] See Mrs.
Whittaker's Long Tor Cavern
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