Then and Now Photos

of Portsdown
 Created 27-02-2005    Last update 25-11-2006

About Portsdown
 

Then & Now Photos

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 Contributor: Peter Rogers - local author
 
Cosham new
Cosham old

The southern end of Cosham High Street taken from the railway footbridge looking northwest. On the skyline of the hill is Fort Widley and below that Queen Alexandria Hospital. The fields to the west of Cosham were not developed until the 1920s and 1930s. The Railway Hotel can be seen on the right of the lower photo, now called "The Railway".
 
 

NEW 25-11-2006

  
 

Congratulations! What a wonderful website you have developed. Thank you for sharing the information. I live in Australia but have spent many hours visiting your site.

My interest is in old Cosham where my ancestors lived in the late 1800s. My grandfather, Charles, came to Australia in 1870 having previously stopped off in New Zealand and eventually settled in Charleville.

His brother, William, lived in Cosham for many years where he was innkeeper at the Railway Hotel, on High Street. In the 1881 census, William was the licensed victualler. He was 24 and single, running the hotel with two servants, Rose Cross, aged 16, a domestic servant from Southampton and James Underwood, aged 34, an inn hostler from Wiltshire. William’s sister, Lavinia, was also staying at the hotel.

 My great grandparents were married in Wymering. Other relations ran the butcher shop at the top of High Street.

Rob Burcher - Brisbane, Australia - November 2006

  
 
 
Cosham crossing
Cosham crossing old

Cosham Railway level crossing looking north. This was the end of the line for Portsmouth trams. The white building in the centre was the 'Railway Hotel' now called 'The Railway'. 
 
 
 
Cosham High Street new
Cosham High Street old

1907, Cosham High Street looking north. The original Ship Inn is on the left. The houses on the right still exist although their appearance has been altered by shopfronts. 
 
 
Cosham Park House new  

Cosham Park House old

Cosham Park House, one of the few buildings left in Cosham to retain some of its former elegance. It was originally sited in its own grounds with access via a carriage drive from the High Street. It is now a Doctors' surgery.
 
 

 NEW 15-05-2006
Portsview Motor Co
Fair House

Fair House (lower photo) took its name from the fairs that took place on Portsdown. In 1960 the house was demolished and three hilltop burials were discovered, one almost under the doorstep. The Crows Nest Filling Station was built on the site which later became the Portview Motor Company (upper photo)

50 years ago I left England and arrived in Australia. I have never returned to see the land of my birth and probably never will. I was born in the left side bedroom on the second floor of Fair House, Portsdown Hill Rd. and lived at this address apart from a time at Botley Drive Leighpark for 8 years.

My maternal grandfather, Alex Menzies, rented 'Fair House' from the army for quite some years and was the last resident before the house was condemned.

Leslie R Knight - May 2006
 
 

About Portsdown
 

Then & Now Photos

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