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ROADS AND STREETS

UNION STREET, EAST STONEHOUSE

 

Location of Union Street, East Stonehouse Union Street, East Stonehouse, was a continuation of Union Street, Plymouth, from the Plymouth Borough boundary at the junction of Manor Street and Phoenix Street westwards until the junction with Brownlow Street, after which it became Edgcumbe Street. Origin of the name, Union Street It united the three towns of Plymouth, to the east, Stonehouse, through which it partly ran, and Devonport, over Stonehouse Bridge to the west.

History of Union Street, East Stonehouse

The area covered by Union Street, or New Road as it was originally known, was marshland known as the Sourepool.  It was gradually drained and reclaimed and in 1815 this Street, linking the Three Towns, was opened.  It was planned by Mr John Foulston as a roadway of high distinction and included a novel feature, The Octagon.

It would appear from the map published in 1820 by Mr John Cooke, of Stonehouse, that the part of Union Street within East Stonehouse was built up first and that the part within Plymouth was just a highway with few buildings.  [1]

There was a turnpike gate at the junction with Phoenix Street and Manor Street and another toll-house on the Stonehouse Bridge so transportation from Plymouth to Dock, and vice versa, was at a price.  However, the Stonehouse Turnpike Trust was dissolved in 1843.

Plymouth's first tramway was opened along Union Street in 1872 by the Plymouth, Stonehouse and Devonport Tramway Company.

Some Views of Union Street, East Stonehouse

Occupants of Union Street, East Stonehouse

• in 1890

• in 1935

Sources:

[1]  "Plan of the Towns and Harbour of Plymouth, Stonehouse, Dock, Morice-town, Stoke and the Environs in the County of Devon", John Cooke, Stonehouse, 1820.

©  Brian Moseley, Plymouth, UK

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