Jordan Well

Mr Oakford, Dentist, 26a Jordan Well Chambers, is listed in 1926 directory for Jordan Well. I remember going to this dentist circa 1953 to have a tooth out. I went on a Sunday (as that was the day the Anaesthetist worked), and I recall the entrance to the surgery was up a narrow staircase. Once in the surgery I was strapped into the chair, Mr Oakford assured me that it was so that I didn't slip! It was many years before I got over my fear of dentists.

Dutchman, of course my memory may be suspect, but are you sure they were there early fifties. I think a lot of things like those nissen huts appeared later. I really think in those days no one knew exactly when temp huts appeared or disappeared. Throughout the centre of Coventry things changed daily. I used the centre of the city daily, several times and walked through to Pool Meadow. When I returned buildings had disappeared, but again I wasn't too interested in the buildings so missed a lot I would now like to know. But your knowledge is outstanding.

You're spot on there, dutchman, the photo clearly shows the cabinet between the two shops that the plastic spiders and itching powder etc were displayed in.

The picture was taken in 1949 Kaga, so yes absolutely certain. Hardly anything in that row had changed by the time I moved to Gosford Street in 1961. Here's a reverse angle from 1953 showing the temporary buildings top right. By this time Dewhurst's had been built in the gap between Smith's warehouse and the Dun Cow. The building work in the foreground is in Earl Street:

Dutchman, ya missed me. Yes the derelict picture is most in my mind, I queued somewhere, think it was outside the Gaumont, with a girl to see the 'Hasty Heart'. She soaked my handkerchief, the shoulder of my jacket, my shirt, my sleeve. If the picture had have gone on much longer I would have floated down the aisle in a sea of tears. It was 1949, just before my big win. The shops on the other side as you can see, were all nissen huts with a false front. Regards, Kaga.

I missed those too Kaga. They were only there for a short time, 1950-59 I think? They'd been replaced by the Herbert by the time I moved to the area.

It's looking over the end of Much Park Street at Jordan Well. I copied the same picture from a book and it took me ages to work out where it was.

Here's an unusual shot - looks to me like a view across to St Michael's as Jordan Well was being redeveloped including some of the original buildings that are about to disappear in Freeth Street.

Interesting pre-art gallery shot.

As always a great photo. I would be still in nappies when that was taken but by the time I was in high school my bus stop was facing the art gallery. Thanks for the memories Neil.

Pre-temporary shops!

An excellent Now and Then showing the precise entrance location to Freeth Street compared to today.

Sorry, Neil, but that distorts the angle and does not show the precise location of Freeth Street, which in your Now and Then appears to be level with Much Park Street It was a lot closer to Cox Street/Whitefriars Street (see Rob's 1951 map on Historic Coventry) Here is the old view that is used, and you can clearly see that there's a lot more to Jordan Well than in the Now and Then image

Yes you are right Cliff - I can see that on the early 1900 map I have. It wasn't mine!