View of Trafalgar Square - London Picture Archive

Title

View of Trafalgar Square

Reference

SC_PHL_01_537_387 (Collage 141138)

Date

Collection

London Metropolitan Archives: LCC Photograph Library

Description

View of Trafalgar Square, City of Westminster, looking southwest from the junction with the Strand. Trafalgar Square was planned as part of the redevelopment of the West Strand Improvements by John Nash following the passing of the Charing Cross Act of 1826. Although it was to be another 30 years before the square was completed, it occupies the area of the former Great Mews of the Crown Stables. Charles Barry was the architect, although he opposed the decision to erect Nelson's Column on the site - he was overruled. The whole square is Grade I listed, number 1001362. One lion at the base of Nelson's Monument is visible. The lions by Sir Edwin Landseer were cast by Baron Marochetti and added in 1867. The monument is Grade I listed, number 1276052. On the left, at the corner of The Strand and Charing Cross, is a three-storey terrace with double attics. Number 4 is occupied by Swan and Leach Railway agents, with signs in the windows advertising destinations including Paris. Number 5 Charing Cross (now number 1 Whitehall), with a shop front on the ground floor, is a Booking Office of the Midland Railway. Above the first floor is a sign for the New York Life Insurance company founded in Manhattan in 1841. It continues to trade and is one of the largest corporations in the USA. On the opposite side of Charing Cross is Drummonds Bank, constructed in 1879 for the private bank known as Messrs Drummond, founded in 1717 by Andrew Drummond. The bank was acquired by Royal Bank of Scotland in 1924. Three storeys high with an attic storey, designed by George Aitchison and built of Portland Stone, in a neo-Palladian style. The porch has polished granite pilasters, and balustraded parapet, with urns. It is Grade II* listed, number 1225731. At the northern end of Charing Cross (now the northern end of Whitehall) is a bronze equestrian statue of Charles I in half armour. Commissioned in 1630 by Charles I's Lord Treasurer Sir Richard Weston for his house at Mortlake Park, Roehampton. Cast in 1633 by Hubert Le Sueur, the Portland Stone pedestal is by Joshua Marshall carved in 1674-5 when the statue was moved to this position. The King is shown in half-armour. It is Grade I listed, number 1357291. Adjacent to the stature is an 1880 cast-iron lamp standard and vent with an ornate bell-shaped base decorated with griffins. Surmounted by an urn on which stand a group of three putti holding festoons and forming the base of the shaft which carries three lamps on curved, scroll-ornamented brackets. It is Grade II* listed, number 1066283. Behind the statue are three- and four-storey buildings, shops and offices. Number 54 Charing Cross is occupied by W. E. Whitelock and Sons, outfitters. Number 55 is a four storey building with an attic with the sign 'Union' on the roof parapet. This was the offices of The Union Assurance Society, founded in 1714 and now part of the Aviva insurance group. Number 56, with a large sign on the roof parapet advertising 'Bovril', was the offices of The Liverpool and London and Globe Life and Fire Assurance Company. Founded in 1836, it merged in 1918 with Royal Assurance to form what was then the largest insurance company in the world. Number 57 has a sign for Phoenix Fire Company, and two statues of phoenixes above pillars that rise through the ground and first floors. Founded in 1680 after the Great Fire of London, Phoenix Fire Assurance was merged in 1984 with Sun Alliance whose offices at the time were at number 60. The white building, number 58, was S. Matthews and Son, waterproofers, and a large sign advertises Mackintoshes. Number 63, with a large sign on the third floor for 'Map, Globe', was the premises of Charles Smith and Son, Map Publishers. A noted map maker he first published his 'New Map of London' in 1830. These buildings were demolished, and the site redeveloped. The three-storey building on the corner with Spring Gardens was The Union Bank of London. The bank was founded in 1839 and merged in 1902 to form Union of London and Smith's Bank. Built in 1871 by F. W. Porter of Portland Stone and polished red granite, it is now a pub and is Grade II* listed, number 1217744. Horse-drawn omnibuses are crossing the square with advertisements for Nestle's Milk. To the left is a Hansom Cab and there are many pedestrians, some men wearing straw boaters.