Sandown - Whites 1878 - - Page 1

Sandown, an improving village and pleasant bathing-place, adjoining the beautiful shore of Sandown Bay, is in the ancient parish of Brading.

Sandown, an improving village and pleasant bathing-place, adjoining the beautiful shore of Sandown Bay, is in the ancient parish of Brading.

An ecclesiastical district, which contained 3466 inhabitants in 1871, was assigned it in 1847.

An ecclesiastical district, which contained 3466 inhabitants in 1871, was assigned it in 1847.

The advantages of this locality for villas and sea=bathing are now generally acknowledged, and from having been only a small village, occupied chiefly by fishermen, it is now advancing with a rapidity almost equal to Ventnor. It already contains many neat private residences and numerous lodging-houses, several good inns and hotels, some well-stocked shops, and commodious churches.

The principle part of the town extends from the Barracks to the Fort.

Sandown Cottage, now called Heath Villa, was long the residence of John Wilkes, Esq., the celebrated M.P. for Middlesex, who died in 1797.

On the south side of Sandown is the pretty hamlet of Lake, and near it the farms, &c., called Languard, Merry-Gardens, Chiverton, Black-Pan, &c.

Lady Oglander, the lady of the manor, and the Rev. W. E. D. Carter and Sir James Stirling are the principal owners of the soil.

At Sandown are the head-quarters of the Isle of Wight Railway Company, who opened a railway from Ryde to Shanklin in 1864, and extended it to Ventnor in 1866 ; a branch line from here to Newport was constructed in 1875 by the Isle of Wight Junction Company. The Isle of Wight Railway Company have engine works at Ryde, and their London office is at 122 Cannon Street. Joseph Bravo, Esq., is chairman of the company, and Mr. Joseph Bourne resident engineer and manager.

The Fort, originally erected by Henry VIII., was taken down in 1870, and near its site a new one was erected; it mounts 13 guns of heavy calibre. Yaverland battery, an earthwork, is mounted by 8 guns of lighter calibre ; Redcliffe battery, another earthwork, was commenced in 1859, and mounts 6 guns; Bembridge Down fort, an earthwork, mounting 6 guns, is surrounded by a dry ditch 50 feet wide and 30 feet deep, over which there is a drawbridge ; and on Sandown Cliff is East Medina battery, mounting 6 guns. The forts are occupied by troops from Portsmouth.

A Local Board was established in 1860, and consists of 15 members.

The Gas Works were erected in 1862, by the Sandown Gas and Coke Company (Limited). The works were enlarged in 1876, and now contain 20 retorts. Mr. Walter Mew is chairman of the company, and Mr. J. Newman, secretary.

Sandown is famous for the manufacture of a superior class of model yachts and toy boats, upwards of a thousand dozen being sent annually to all parts of the kingdom.

The Church of England Temperance Inn, in Fort Street, opened in 1875, is supplied with newspapers and periodicals, and has a small library attached. It is supported by members' subscription (1s. Per quarter) and voluntary contributions. Non-members can be supplied with refreshments. Fort Street, in modern times, Avenue Road (today's Fort Street, was Fort Lane)

The Pier, partly erected and opened in 1876, by the Sandown Pier Company (Limited), having a capital of 6,000GBP in 5GBP shares. The pier, which is supported by three rows of iron pillars, is 600 feet long, and from 17 to 20 feet wide, and has projecting bays in the centre and at the end, forming a convenient platform for landing passengers, unloading vessels, band stands, &c. Mr. W. H. Wooldridge is the secretary.

The Skating Rink, which is rented by private individuals, is 200 feet in length, and has an arcade underneath, as well as reading, refreshment, and billiard rooms.

A beautiful marine drive, or esplanade, of about 800 feet in length, giving access to the promenade pier and the Skating Rink, has been constructed along the sea, in front of the Beachfield estate, by the owner of the property.

The Town Hall, built in 1869, at the cost of 2,000GBP, is used for public meetings, entertainments, &c., and will seat 600 persons.

The Church (Christ Church), a neat structure, was built in 1846-7, at the cost of 2,000GBP, raised by subscription, and a grant of 400GBP, and has been twice enlarged, at an outlay of 1,300GBP. In the Princess Royal Chapel is a memorial window to Lieut. Edward W. F. Boxer, who was drowned on the capsizing of the 'Captain' in 1870. Another window is a memento to the residence of the Crown Prince and Princess of Germany here during the summer of 1874, by whom it was presented to the church. Lady Oglander, in 1876, erected a new door at the west end, in remembrance of her husband, the late Sir Henry Oglander, Bart. At the entrance to the churchyard is a unique oak lychgate, which is an exact counterpart of that of St. Martin's Church, Cambridge, the oldest church in England. It was erected by subscription.

The Parochial Schools were erected in 1853, at the cost of 1,400, raised by subscription And a Government grant.

The new church of St. Paul, Gatten, was consecrated in 1876. Temporary churches have been erected at Lake and Lower Sandown, the latter of which is to be immediately superseded by a handsome structure.

The Bible Christians have a chapel in York Road, built in 1863 ; the Congregationalists one in Leed Street, built in 1872 ; the Primitive Methodists on in Fort Street, built in 1866; the Wesleyans one in Pell Street, built in 1866; and the Plymouth Brethren one in George Street. Fort Street, in modern times, Avenue Road (today's Fort Street, was Fort Lane), Pell Street, that part of Station Avenue between The Broadway and St. John's Road).

Post, Money Order, and Telegraph Office, Savings' Bank, and Government Annuity, &c. Office at Mr. James Colenutt's, High Street.

Railway - Isle of Wight Railway Co. Sandown Station; Joseph Bourne, engineer and general manager.

Omnibus to the station to meet all trains.

Carriers - Henry Taylor, to RYDE, Tues. and Fri., and to NEWPORT, Mon., Wed. and Sat.

Adams Edward Peter, photographer, Fitzroy street

Adams Frank, painter, decorator, toy and fancy dealer and tobacconist, Fitzroy street

Adams Mrs. Mary Jane, grocer, and religious tract depot, Fitzroy street

Albery Mrs. Fanny, apartments, Alexandra house, High street

Alcock Mr. Henry, Malvern house, Leed street

Andrews Mrs. Jane, midwife, George street

Baillie Miss Emily, apartments, Royal Heath, High street

Baillie Colonel George Clement, Buena Vista, Royal street west

Baker Edward, joiner, Grafton street

Baker John, model toy yacht and boat builder, Wilkes road

Ball George, agent for W. H. Smith & Son, booksellers, Railway station

Banbury Thomas, saddler, High street ; and Ventnor

Barnes Mr. William Black, Pell street Pell Street - that part of Station Avenue between The Broadway and St. John's Road).

Bartlett Abraham, butcher, York road

Bartlett Mrs. Eunice, draper, milliner and dress and mantle maker, High street

Bartlett Mr. John Hall, Fitzroy street

Bartlett Nathaniel, greengrocer (Munday & B.) ; h High street

Bartlett William, butcher, High street; and St. Helen's

Bessant Mr. George, York road

Bettenson Henry, painter and decorator, George street

Bignall James William, victualler, York Hotel, Wilkes road

Mr. William L., Hill house, Leed street

Blunt Mrs. Marianne, Summerleas, Broad lane Broad Lane, in modern times, The Broadway