In the centre of this image is an interesting building on Dovecot St. that was mentioned in a Facebook group (Stockton Memories). The building stands out on maps & images as it was rather grand with a large formal walled garden. Built at the western edge of the town, on Mill Lane it would have had a pleasant position before being surrounded as the town expanded westwards.
In the Facebook post Ann Davinson says:
“This was Kinnoull, the house stood at the top of Dovecot Street just beyond Skinner Street and was demolished in the sixties. My family lived there for many years.”
“[the date of the picture is] about 1925. They [Kennedy family] moved away in 1930.”
“It even had a ballroom!”
Another commenter mentions living in a single room there, as a baby, so must have later become a HMO before falling into disrepair as seen in this image.
Kelly’s Directory (1914) lists “Kinnoull” as occupied by Robert Frank Brittain (Chairman of Stockton-on-Tees Local Pensions Committee).
So I wonder if that is one of Ann’s relatives? or was it already called Kinnoull?
Looking at some maps:
• 1855: there is a smaller building on the same site, with a formal garden.
• 1891: shows a larger building. It is labelled as “Trevelyan Temperance Hotel” and still has a formal garden.
• 1939: the same building is shown but the southern end of the garden has been sold and built on.
The building was the “Palais De Dance” dance hall.
• Later maps show this, and neighbouring buildings were demolished and replaced with the large office block that still stands.
The offices are shown as “Government Offices” and I think it says “Inland Revenue & Ministry of Pensions & National Insurance”
•
You can also see Kinnoull in these 1924 images:
EPW010138 ENGLAND (1924) | Britain From Above
EPW010139 ENGLAND (1924) | Britain From Above
EPW010140 ENGLAND (1924) | Britain From Above
… and after the Palais De Dance was built:
EAW013852 ENGLAND (1948). The town centre, Stockton-on-Tees, 1948
(If Ann Davison is reading this, perhaps you could give permission for the photo from Stockton Memories to be added to this Picture Stockton post?)
Details courtesy of Jonathan May.