View of Trafalgar Square - London Picture Archive

Title

View of Trafalgar Square

Reference

SC_PHL_01_537_392 (Collage 141143)

Date

Collection

London Metropolitan Archives: LCC Photograph Library

Description

View of Trafalgar Square, City of Westminster, looking south from the site of The National Gallery. 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. In the foreground is one of the two fountains which were remodelled in 1939. Several children are leaning over the granite retaining walls. To the right is a terrace wall with a lamp standard and stone bollards enclosing the open space of the square. These features are Grade II* listed, number 1066235. To the left is the base of Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson's memorial column and sculpture. Built in 1839-1842 to the design of William Railton, with a fluted granite column and Corinthian capital. The statue was by E. H. Baily, and the bas-relief panels around the base depicting Nelson's famous naval battles by J. E. Carew, J. Ternouth, M. L. Watson and W. F. Wood. At the southwest corner of the square is a statue of General Sir Charles Napier, cast in bronze in 1855 by G. G. Adams on a granite pedestal. An officer in the British Army's Peninsular and 1812 campaigns, and later a Major General of the Bombay Army, during which period he led the military conquest of Sindh, before serving as the Governor of Sindh, and Commander-in-Chief in India. The statue was raised by subscription from private soldiers who had served under Napier in India. It is Grade II* listed, number 1357304. Two girls are leaning on the base and a policeman is talking to two small boys. On the left, at the junction of Spring Gardens and Charing Cross (now the northern end of Whitehall), 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. Designed by George Aitchison and three storeys high with an attic storey. Built of Portland Stone in a neo-Palladian style. The porch has polished granite pilasters and balustraded parapet. It is Grade II* listed, number 1225731. On the southern side of the square 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 and a sign for 'Union' on the roof parapet. This was the office 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 was 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 merged in 1984 with Sun Alliance whose offices at the time were at number 60. The white building, number 58, was occupied by 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. In front of the buildings are three horse-drawn omnibuses, a Hansom cab and a horse-drawn carriage.