A view of No. 23 Nelson Terrace, Stockton, built as the offices of the Board of Guardians, later became Stockton Registry Office. It was built in 1879 by E. Clephan in the Italian Gothic style c1980s
Picture Stockton Archive
A Pictorial History of Stockton-on-Tees
Does anyone know where the Registry Office was before this one was built? My ancestors married there in 1874, I would be so grateful for any help.
I believe that in the 1870s the town’s registry office was in the Borough Hall, on the High Street. You will find photos of the front of the Borough Hall elsewhere on Picture Stockton.
I also remember as you entered, downstairs on the left hand side was atiny music shop rum by a chap with a proper moustache. He also had a shop in Hartlepool called Poole music. the hours i spent in there playing on the guitars as a teenager!
With a facility like Preston Park on their doorstep, I would have moved the “registry Office” there, after all it was THE registry office for the borough!
The top floor was converted into a restaurant called “The Terrace” around 1981. Run by a Scottish forerunner of Gordon Ramsay called Brian McKinney – a proper chef and two brothers from Boro who had learned their trade on the rigs. It was a beautiful room with a very grand staircase leading up.
Later they opened a cafe called the Terrace Bistrot downstairs at the back run by two guys – George and David – who wore natty matching seersucker suits (it was the 80s).
Neither place lasted long.
Does anyone have any background info. about Eugene Clephan and his Steam building still standing on Norton Road near The Buffs ?
Walking past the office, I was once asked inside to be a witness at a wedding when someone had failed to turn up to witness the ceremony. I had/have no idea who the couple were but was assured that it was quite legal!
I was really upset when this wonderful building along with the Stockton baptist tabernacle were demolished, such a shame.
It does seem a shame that buildings with genuine character were flattened to be replaced with the artificial architecture in Wellington Square. I guess, in the short term, it’s easier and cheaper to start from a clean slate, without considering the long term cost to the character of the town. What a disappointing downgrade the current registry office is in comparison.
I remember Ester fish shop that faced this building on the corner on Sydney Street.