My home at 136 Station Road
On leaving the Red House in July 1945 I took up life in Station Road at number 136. Here is an eclectic mix of photos taken mainly by my father with two by me of that road.
We start by No 7 (a tobacconist), with a wonderful collection of ‘walking wounded’ forming part of a parade in the 50s whose raison d’être someone out there may recall. (1)
Then just below the Midland Railway bridge and outside Ackroyd’s bakery a view of bridge under repair with the gas lamp here in process of being superseded. (2)
We now move down to Station Road opposite Browning Road and look back up the hill at the neatly clipped hedges and profusion of trees with another gas lamp seeing out its final days. This photo appears under lampposts, but I believe this copy is better. (3)
Turning to face South East we see the same lamp posts with Nos 67 & 65 behind their hedges. Again this photo appears under lampposts, but I believe this copy is better. (4)
We now move down to the gate of what I believe to be No 83 look down the hill towards Batford and the River Lea. On the left are the end walls on Nos 138 & 140 the latter having housed Count de Voilement (Major Esterhazy) of Dreyfus Affair fame from 1911 to 1913. The house just to the left of the lamppost I believe is the rear of No 8 Marquis Lane, then in the centre is No 93 Station Rd, with allotments between here and No 83. On the right are roofs of houses in Carisbrooke Road. (5)
A little further down we see Nos 128 to 138 with a large truck of road laying equipment outside in 1956. This is one I took to record the monster, beyond it is one of the HUDC little Karrier trucks which were frequently seen about in those days. (6)
A closer look at 134 & 136 again by me in 1956. This was our home until September 1958 when we moved to Granby Avenue. My father was not happy that of the 3 houses built together 132 & 134 had cellars, but 136 did not. A cellar would have made a great dark room for photographic exploits, which our neighbour Mr Nichols was able to employ his for. The story my father told was that 136’s builder was constructing it for his daughter and she considered cellars unfashionable although this is somewhat contradicted by Harpenden History which states that it was 132 & 134 that were built for the builder’s daughters. (7)
Turning through 180° we see No 93 opposite, a shot my father took for the wonderful Lilac Bush by the gate. (8)
Turning again we look back up Station Road with No 83 visible behind the naked trees on the edge of the allotment. Taken in the mid fifties there is actually a car using the road! I remember one relatively common sight was Bedford truck chassis with makeshift seats for the driver, whilst looking up De Haviland Comets could be seen on test flights out of Hatfield. (9)
Up by No 83 in the snow with No 81 on the left. (10)
Finally we are down by the corner of Langdale Avenue, a picture I previously wrongly placed as Connaught Road. I note that Bus stop and Sub Station are still there. (11)
(1) No 7, a tobacconist, with a wonderful collection of ‘walking wounded’ forming part of a parade in the 1950s. The raison d’être for the event someone out there may recall.
(2) Outside Ackroyd’s bakery a view of bridge under repair
(3) Browning Road and look back up the hill at the neatly clipped hedges
(4) Nos 67 & 65 behind their hedges.
(5) No 83 look down the hill towards Batford and the River Lea
(6) Nos 128 to 138 with a large item road laying equipment outside in 1956.
(7) 134 & 136
(8) No. 93
(9)
(10)
(11)
Comments about this page
I have lived in the United States ( North Carolina) for the past 60 years, but was born in Harpenden at the Red House in 1940. I lived in Weybourne Close with my mother and her friends until I was 5yrs old, then we moved to Luton. Every weekend my Mum and I would catch the 321 bus from Luton to Harpenden, and walk up Station Rd all the way to Weybourne Close, via Lyndhurst Drive. Over the years I got to know Station Rd very well, the Post Office, a nice little shop that sold children’s clothes, and of course Ackroyds Bakery “best bread in the world”!
I have a question about a house at the top of the hill, after going under the bridge and up the hill it curved and leveled out. On the right side there was a house with the most amazing manicured hedges and lawn with a palm tree ! My Mum would say “ hurry up and don’t touch the hedge or old ‘McDougal’’ will get his gun and shoot us from his bedroom window”……please tell me there was a house and garden like this, or is it a figment of my imagination. I also remember a wonderful street party on V E day, 1945, with red, white and blue crepe paper everywhere! I love your site and all the history of Hertfordshire you provide.
Thank you.
Denise Ray née Scott
Ed I think you are referring to MacDonald’s Nursery at 29 Station Road – – but we had not heard that you might have been in danger from a shot-gun!
Thank you!! 🙂
Ed. We have now published the story of the Corner Shop at172 Station Road.
Any pics or info on Almonds shop would be great 🙂
Ed. We have found information in the archives about the shop from 1909 to the time when the Almonds were there from 1927-1969, and until it was converted into flats in 1996. We plan to publish a separate page about this.
Number 83 Station Road was built for my parents, Bert and Betty Gray on their marriage in the mid 1930’s, though it was number 77 in those days. My sister Anne and I were born and brought up there, next to the allotments, opposite Manland Cottage on the blind bend. I can remember going to Mr. Buck’s Shop for lemon crystals in a paper bag, and later to Almond’s Shop where Rose would ask for my mother’s list, then wrap the groceries for me to take up the hill to home.
Goodness, I feel old.
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