Smithford Street (inc. Ram Bridge)

Thanks Cliff - obviously have a lot of work to do but made sure I have my priorities right

Just going back a while to that 'mystery' light - this image reminded of the puzzle - but confirms Rob's detective work - different location I know but almost certainly the same kind of light.

LOL. Even before I read your comment I was thinking 'it's that bl***y lamp post'. Good picture though. As a focal point it wasn't much used and none with any clear lines.

Another good aerial shot here during early stages of the development during the last days of the street. Very early work on what would be the M&S building here and interesting to note what was on West Orchard at that time.

I guess that's the static water tank top left?

Probably seen before but interesting to see the final elements of the 'Street' before it became the 'Way'. This one also shows the lines that were Vicar Lane and Market Street, with foundations in early stages for Broadgate House.

Long before traffic lights, no parking and no crossing signs I believe Smithford Street was a very narrow street with two way traffic, mostly horse drawn drays and a few new cars, scores of cycles with bells ringing and bustling pedestrians. People sold laces, silks, matches, bobbins of cotton, all from an open case. New cars had klaxon horns that made you jump, and often frightened the horses, so in a crowded, bustling street you had to mind horses rearing, carts backing wheels on pavements, bike bells, traders yelling, and kids like us dashing in and out of the crowd. The Burges was two-way traffic, the clanging jangling trams sweeping down from Broadgate, scores of people, old ladies dodging across the road between the trams, had you holding your breath if they were going to make it. Shops with wide open doorways, different aromas, people with gaily knitted shopping bags that were more pleasant than plastic. Shopkeepers that were friendly and had time to pass the time of day, and so much more. Made to a whole lot of excitement and shopping a pleasure and not a chore.

Kaga you have a gift. The ability to set a scene and stimulate the imagination of others (well mine at least), but your description of the hustle bustle of a street scene during a past period, does remind me what I do when all pictures of street scenes of Coventry in all threads are published is to look at the "detail" and wonder what the characters are about. But you have also given me a reminder, I know somewhere in a dusty old box full of family photos, there is one of my mother taken I think in a Coventry street, before WW2 by one of those people who used to take snaps of people and then give you a ticket to go and buy it later. I must look it out, it will show not just only her, but it is also what happens to be in the background I would like to see. Thanks Kaga, please keep the good work up. Mods' note: This post has created discussion off-topic, and therefore has been copied, with responses, into a new thread "What photographs can reveal"

An auction lot of Francis Frith photos, including Stratford, Guy's Cliff Mill and what I think must be a very early Smithford Street in pretty good nick. It's similar to several in the library but looks like it was taken early in the morning. Get a copy while it's still there because it won't last. Temporary link to image of Smithford Street.

That really is a super shot of Smithford Street. Shame the photos aren't being sold individually though - can you see anyone spending their "estimated" $500 - $700 on just 12 images?

The minimum bid is $250, so I dunno, maybe people will buy it for the Stratford one or maybe they're just testing the water.

Wasn't the ram bridge built for control of the water, the word 'ram' seemed to be used a lot in olden days, it was always associated with the velocity or volume of water, perhaps some one can explain it better than I?

Spot on. Rob probably knows the details better than me but there was a mill excavated there. Possibly part of a smithy?

I couldn't recall the reason for the name, but this entry from the Victoria County History vol. 8 has this to say.... "SMITHFORD STREET* (vicus de Smythesford Smythesfordestret, between 1290 and 1300) led to the ford through the River Sherbourne at Smythefford, between 1161 and 1175. In 1410-11 it stretched to Smythford Bridge. A bridge probably replaced the ford during the 13th century. There were buildings on the bridge when it was repaired in 1469. Still called Smithford Bridge in 1610, it was also known as Fleet Street Bridge in 1630, and Fleet Bridge in 1636-7. In 1748-9 and 1807 it was called Ram Bridge, probably after Ram House or Inn which was in existence in 1574 and 1650. The river itself at this point was called Ram Brook in 1700." Coincidentally, I recently purchased an original 1807 map of Coventry (yes, 210 years old!) for just £20 on eBay.... and of course, I've shared it with you good people.... 1807 map on Historic Coventry. Enjoy!

I've 'captured' that one here for posterity using the Forum server