Warwick Lane and Greyfriars Lane

Hi Heathite, long time no see. I was getting worried In the photo, the white building behind the bridge on the left is number 46, so 45 was just before that. The bridge is closer still. Obviously by the time they took the photo they owned quite a large block of properties between Hertford Street and Warwick Lane. Large blocks like that were often given quite odd numbers. Check out the original Fire insurance Maps and compare with Rob's version. See how stuff moves about. Rob's 1950 version of the Fire Insurance map

On post 21 pic the bridge has an Apex roof but on post 23 no sign of an Apex. Even from the different position of camera shot there should be evidence of the sloping roof line?

I thought the "slope" was actually the roof of the "Royal Mail" building beyond.

Warwick Lane 1911-12 directory.

All of Court 2 and the bit fronting it on Warwick Lane was demolished to build the block on the right hand side of the photo.

Hi MR, I don't why but I really studied that pic and the slope of the building behind should be cut off square to the wall where the bridge is. If you look closely the slope seems to go up the wall?

The slope in #21 is parallel to the angle of the roof in both #22 and #23

Them bloomin' Yardley's get everywhere!

Thanks to CliffB for this fantastic image of Warwick Lane - never seen this one before and some great period detail. We just need to date it now, Helen!

I've seen the image before but it's the sharpest in the distance I've seen it. Thanks Neil and CliffB. Dating - it's not as old as 1889 or as new as 1937. It could be pre 1906. I can't immediately see any features that could pinpoint it closer. Might W Smith, undertaker help? There's no undertakers listed in the 1926 commercial directory on Warwick Lane. Or the 1921 version. Or the 1886 version. There is a W Smith builders and undertakers at 28 Friars Road in 1912. The building next to the Grapes is number 28.

This is outstanding.

Is that the same Central Hall we have now on the left? That went up in 1931 I think? Coventry Digital has this one as well a bit further back.

I think that it's the one before.

Wasn't Central Hall was on the other side of the road? The building on the left was 'new' and in Rob's library you can see the previous buildings from early Wingrave shots. The ones in your photos are similar foot print but shorter and older. In 1900 and 1905 the adverts on the building on the right were different.

The only mentions I can find in Coventry newspapers are to W Smith undertakers and builders mentioned from 1914 until the 1940's . They had a head office and works in Friars Road and showrooms in London Road. The only Smith I can find in a census for Friars Road is Josiah Smith a builder in 1911. They are still listed in London Road today. The 1914 ad says established 1864.