Old Map

 

There is a strange fascination in looking at old maps, especially maps that cover areas known to us.  This map is from the year 1878, the year the 2nd Afghan War began and Cleopatra's Needle arrived on the Thames embankment.  

This map features this luxurious residence but not as we know it now.  The shape remains the same but it has changed significantly since this map was drawn.  

For a start, Mount House, the large building in the centre of the map fell down just after the war.  It had aged somewhat and following several wealthy owners, one or two not so wealthy, and even the council making use of the outbuildings it was demolished.  

Today, there stands a large police station with several cells awaiting occupants.  

I have not visited these.  

What once were house grounds are now occupied by the police car park and what is left is a small, yet delightful, path through the remaining woods that lead onto Sainsburys car park.  A short life breathing clamber no doubt much loved by all who tread through it.

To the right of our building stands a 'Lodge.'  This guarded the long climbing entrance to the big house, the lodge also long gone.  Three years later the path to the right of the entrance became the Avenue, a road on which several extensive and expensive houses arose, along with houses suitable for the genteel elite of the area.  

I do not live on the Avenue.  

Our building goes of at an angle revealing what looks like several smaller huts behind.  These have all gone, and the rear of the building, though facing the same way, was rebuilt in years past.  In fact if you were to clamber up into the attic as I did years ago the original layout of the front of the building can be seen.  Almost all Essex houses began as one room and extended when money became available.  This one I am told began in 1812, much addition has happened since then.  

Quite what was lying around in what is now a new block built a few years ago I cannot make out.  The census does not help.  It does not give house numbers and some confusion reigns as to what is actually this block.  Where it is clear we find two women 'domestics' living here.  If this is correct the only explanation could be that this was until our landlord obtained the property used as a doctors surgery.  He and his son lived in one of the big houses down the Avenue.  Possibly the doctor had begun working from here before the Great War.  Certainly by 1930 he had a large white house up the road and his son was working here.  He may not have obtained that house on the NHS.  

The White House is now a care home.

Further to our left is a back entrance to the big house, probably used by the owner for his horse and carriage.  What the large building next to that is I have no idea.  I may have to search out the old census to find out however, I cannot remember any company being mentioned here.  The census must have not noticed!  The houses on view are mostly still around, a variety of small cottage like creations on two floors.  One row of several are being renovated now after years of use as offices.  I wonder how much these will cost next to a busy main road?

That road was the dividing line between this town and Bocking.  Until recently some could remember road works that went half way across the road, the other half ignored as belonging to the other council.  During 1878 I suspect there was no street lighting at this part.  If there was it would be gas lit, with barely noticeable pavements, possibly none here, though once the Avenue was opened and the elite moved in things may have brightened up.  

Horse traffic, long hours for the workers, six day weeks, outside toilets, long dresses for the women, waistcoats and flat caps for the men.  Holidays, if any, meant a 3/6d train ride and back to Clacton for the day, music provided by those who brought their brass instruments.  No radio or tv, newspapers the only information around, and that as dubious as today.  

A small section of map but reveals a lot of changes in 147 years.