My great-grandfather, a Londoner, was employed by W H Smith, and was appointed to open their branch at Stockton station in the 1800s. Later, he started his own business at 2 Central Buildings at the top end of Stockton High Street. For many years this was known as Wood’s Corner, later Maxwell’s Corner. My grandfather took over this shop, and in the mid-1930s sold it, and moved to new premises at 111 Lanehouse Road, Thornaby, from where he ran a tobacconist, lending library and stationers. He retired and sold this business in the early 1950s. The black-and-white picture (photographer unknown) shows 2 Central Buildings, while the colour shot of 111 Lanehouse Road was taken by my father c1947.
Photographs and details courtesy of Andy Wood.
Business must have been going well for Joseph Richard Wood, stationer, and wife Elizabeth Jessie Wood, as they were the purchasers of No.1 Central Buildings in 1914. The sale is detailed in an original indenture document currently for sale on eBay by a seller in Stockton.
“1914 Stockton on Tees. No.1, Central Buildings TODD to WOOD.”
Where about on Lanehouse Road is Woods shop? Is it near the chemists that was Rounds and is now Pharmacy Express. Trying to work it out.
Hi Irene, I too looked at the Pharmacy and thought that was it, but it didn’t fit with the photo. Wood’s Library was just next-door on Lanehouse Road. It’s lost all the shop front features as it has been converted into a house, with a single storey extension on the right. It is still No.11, and can be found here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/8n35XWoWHnuw6P936
Many thanks for the info. I now realise that Maxwells Corner was originally Central Buildings. I will go and have a look at the area to see what it looks like now. Might be worth taking a photograph or two.
Dave.
It looks like No.2 Central Buildings is now No.2 Bishopton Lane, next door to Henderson Opticians.
In 1914 the immediate neighbours in the Central buildings were:
#1 – Asher Michelson, Clothing
#2 – J. Woods, Bookseller
#3 & 4 – E.S. Maxwell, Tailor
#5, 6 & 7 – H. & M. Ernest, Clothing, Baby Linen
My Grandmother lived at 12 Central Buildings as a child. I have never been able to discover exactly where they were. I would be obliged if someone can explain exactly where they were. [I know Maxwell’s Corner very well, as that’s where my Grangefield Grammar school uniform was purchased]
I reckon No.12 Central Buildings faced on to Norton Road. If stood facing this part of Norton Road, it would be the fourth grouping of 1st & 2nd floor windows counting from right (being No.15) to left. This makes it currently the right-hand side of the “ADS Eye Clinic” premises, at 23 Norton Road. In a 1914 directory the ground floor shop is listed as: Leslie Cycle Co. (cycle dealer).
https://maps.app.goo.gl/44agS3447xwSYDTA6
Oh! that is really good! I never knew it was ‘Woods Corner’. Greaf Photos and a nice piece of Family History linking you all to Stockton..
Does anyone know when Maxwells Corner was built?
The Central Buildings don’t appear on a map from 1856, the area has a large house called North Lodge, which had a large garden with lawns and trees. The Central Buildings do appear on an 1893 map. So somewhere in-between 🙂
Thank you I’ve been looking at this area recently and I wonder if the North Lodge that you mention was the home of Major John Jenkins.