A picture which provides us with a fleeting glimpse into Old Time Liverpool one sunny day sometime in the 1890’s ...
Although by the shadows cast it must be around midday, there are relatively few folk about at this now busy junction of Lime Street and St John’s Lane.
Major General William Earle, hero of the Sudan, is still leading his lone charge on the plateau, where the Cenotaph has not yet been erected.
There is no roar of traffic here, only the sound of horses’ hoofs on the setts and the occasional squeal of iron-rimmed wheels. Life was serene, but even this era had its problems in poverty, slums, poor health – and war.
All the menfolk seem to be carrying either walking sticks or rolled brollies. Bowler hats and straw hats were then in vogue and the ladies’ hats were often very ornate, sometimes carrying artificial fruit and flowers.
Note the seat on the horsetram, at the front of the top deck. This is smaller than the rest and faces inwards.
A poster on the plateau wall advertises the Saturday Organ Recitals at St George’s Hall, given by city organist Dr L.A. Peace. The hall’s organ, once described as “the noblest concert-room organ in the world from a tonal point of view,” was also regarded for many years as the largest in Europe.
A steam-engine used to provide wind for the organ when it was built by Henry Willis and Sons in 1855. But when rebuilt by the original builder’s grandson (also Henry Willis) in 1931 it was converted to electrical operation.
Damaged by water after the roof of St George’s Hall was struck by bombs in December, 1940, the organ was later dismantled and rebuilt again at a cost of more than £26,000 for the City Charter Year 1957.
Still virtually unchanged since it was opened on September 18th 1854, as one of Europe’s finest buildings, St George’s Hall still retains its magnificent tessellated floor. This is covered by a wooden floor (once often used for dancing) and uncovered for public viewing only rarely – only six times this century.
Laid by Italian craftsmen, the floor looks like a rich oriental carpet, showing the Royal Arms, the arms of Liverpool tritons, dolphins and heads and figures symbolising Liverpool’s nautical interests. It cost £2,000 to lay in 1852.
One major difference between the hall pictured and the hall today is that the triangular tympanum, 100 feet above the south portico, shown beautifully sculptured figures in Caen stone.
These became weathered and broken, and when some pieces fell, in August 1950, it was decided to remove them all.
Harvey Lonsdale Elmes was the brilliant young architect who designed St George’s Hall, built on the site of the old fever hospital and some alms houses. He died of consumption in 1847, aged 33 and Professor C.B. Cockerell completed the work.
FOOTNOTE: There is no foundation stone under St George’s Hall. This was laid (and presumably is still in the ground) on the site originally intended for the hall – opposite Islington Market, somewhere near to the Wellington Monument. So future archaeologists will be puzzled if they ever find this stone, under which is a vellum memorial, coin and tablet.
Must be wrong date. I've seen them before with him in.