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ROADS AND
STREETS
BARBICAN
| Location
of Barbican
The Barbican is an extension of Southside
Street between the junction with White Lane and Lambhay Street.
Origin of the name, Barbican
A Barbican is a tower or advanced work from
which to defend the entrance to a castle, city or harbour. It
initially defended Plymouth Castle and
Sutton Pool but could also
claim to be a first line of defence for the town from any attack
from the sea.
It was at one time also known as South Quay.
[1]
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South Quay, later
known as the Barbican, and Southside Street in 1765. [1] |
History of
Barbican
The Barbican House
and Gateway were originally constructed in 1628. The House was
partially washed away in 1672 and rebuilt in 1678. Both House and
Gateway were removed in 1830. [2]
A sun dial was
purchased in 1670-71 from a Mr John Bennet to be erected on a stone on the
Barbican, the cost amounting to £3 18s. [3]
Between 1892 and 1895 a 900 feet long quay was built
and the Barbican widened by some 20 feet to provide
extra space for the landing of fish. A line of cobble-stones set at right-angles to the rest
still marks the boundary between the old quay owned by Plymouth Corporation
and the new one built by the Sutton Harbour Improvement Company. On
the new quay was erected the Fish Market.
The road from the
Barbican along Commercial Road was extended through part of the
Royal
Citadel to join up with Madeira Road in 1933.
In spite of
protests, the Custom's Watch House and Police Station was
demolished in 1935.
At some point a
small office was constructed on the Barbican Quay for the Fisheries Officer
of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
The former Fish
Market building has now been converted into a retail outlet and glass-works.
Some Views of
Barbican
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A peaceful scene at the Barbican in the 1930s,
showing the Seamen's Bethel, the Mayflower Hotel and a part of the Admiral
McBride Public House behind the Custom's Watch House..
© World Wide Photos Inc., USA.
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The same scene a little closer.
Note the police box next to the Watch House.
From a postcard. |
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The
Barbican from a water colour by Mr B F C Parr.
The accuracy of this picture is uncertain as it shows the Mayflower Memorial
and Boatmen's Shelter, both dating from the 1930s, but no Hotel. From
a postcard.
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A similar
picture to the one above but with the Watch House now removed.
Note the telephone box and the ice cream seller.
From a postcard. |
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The northern end of the Barbican,
showing the Fish Market.
Island House is hidden by the masts of the fishing boats.
From a postcard. |
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Occupants of Barbican
Sources:
[1] Donn,
Benjamin, "A Map of the County of Devon 1765", facsimile, Devon
and Cornwall Record Society and the University of Exeter,
Exeter, 1965.
[2] Sach, F
E, "A Plymouth Book of Reference", F E Sach & Company,
Plymouth, 1916, with update of 1920.
[3] Worth,
R N, "Calendar of the Plymouth Municipal Records", Plymouth, 1893.
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