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Update 1 Summer 2003
Highway Heritage Images
Highway Heritage
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Highway Heritage
Location: Somerset
Our highway heritage often goes unnoticed as people get on with their daily lives, but the cast iron road signs, street names and village plaques of yesteryear can reveal a lot about the area and its history.
Much of what survives today dates from the nineteenth century onwards, when casting and foundry firms sprung up to meet the increasing demands of urban life. Although primarily functional objects, the Victorians definitely had fun with these accessories, incorporating all manner of characters and animals in amongst ornate cast iron designs.
Sadly, to keep pace with the changes in society, the old often makes way for the new. Although many street name plates have stood the test of time, inevitable wear and tear often means replacement with contemporary aluminium equivalents. Others fall victim to ‘highway robbery’ and are collected for their cast iron appeal or as mementoes of the area. Others have attained a cult status in their own right; the street signs of Abbey Road have long been targeted by souvenir hunters keen to own a piece of Beatles memorabilia.
Sign posts are on relatively safer ground, their sheer size preventing easy removal, and a few are now officially preserved. Many have their own distinguishing features and regional quirks. Some quite literally point the way with signs fashioned in the shape of arms and hands (and are aptly named ‘handing’ or more generically as ‘finger posts’), while others might include the name of the parish on the finial with a grid reference. One of the most ornate signposts is at the ‘Three Lamps’ junction outside Bristol and depicts part of a classical frieze.
Cast-iron street names also have their own regional stamp, owing to the fact that the job was often carried out by the local blacksmith, tile-maker or foundry. Most are long and narrow in appearance with raised borders and the name in raised capitals, although some are
embellished with elaborate scrolls and shells.
A street name in itself can reveal a lot about the area, and can be a good starting point if you’re researching the local neighbourhood. Often named after a local family or profession, they can also provide a colourful snapshot of local history. For example, Garrick Street in London was named after the famous actor of the day, David Garrick, and likewise, Downing Street got its name from the man who built it. Other names may be less obvious, but nonetheless worth investigating; Birdcage Walk in London refers to the time when Charles II kept an aviary of exotic birds there.
More than just a quaint reminder of roadside history, the heritage of our highways can provide vital clues about the local area. Old village signs recall communities that existed before they became part of larger towns and street name plates can give an insight into old street networks. They also tell a tale of local craftsmanship, of families and local characters that lived and worked there.
Learning more about the local area from the highway heritage is certainly the plan for the Quantock Hills Highway Heritage Project , who aim to publish their research of local place names in a leaflet that outlines local trails where you can see restoration work at first hand. The community of Dalston in Cumbria are also investigating the meaning of local names on the old road signs in the parish, and are involving local schools in the repainting and restoration work.
Our rich highway heritage deserves to be remembered, and this article has touched on only a few of the accessories to be found along the roadside, from milestones and bollards to street lighting and clocks. So next time you’re out in the car or walking along the street, make sure you take note of your surroundings, as you never know what’s just around the corner.
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