James Gray: This photograph must date from before 1872 because it affords a view of the Chain Pier Esplanade. There is no sign of the Aquarium, which was built on this site in 1871. Note how narrow Marine Parade was at this period, as it was not until the Aquarium was being built that opportunity was taken of widening it at the western end by a curve carried over arches. The two houses, 33 and 34 Old Steine, were then occupied as lodging houses, with a Wine Office on the ground floor of 34. The cobbled stone crossing is on exactly the site of the present (1956) Zebra Crossing. jgc_04_049
James Gray: [See jgc_04_049] jgc_04_050
2020: Images jgc_04_049 and 050 are virtually identical, the first being a black and white copy of the sepia original here. The address of the former Nos 33 and 34 Old Steine, now Harry Ramsden’s, has been changed to 1-4 Marine Parade. (Photographer: David Sears)
James Gray: Photograph by Edward Fox dating from about 1875. This enlargement is merely to bring out the detail of the photograph in the following view. The view is from the corner of Old Steine and some of the side streets such as Manchester Street and Charles Street can be picked out, but where is Steine Street? The narrow entrance must be hidden from view behind the horse and cab. jgc_05_003
James Gray: The original of the previous photograph. jgc_05_004
2020: Gray’s images are identical, the first being a black and white print of the sepia original. They are two of several images of this corner of the Old Steine with Marine Parade, just across from the entrance to the Aquarium. This updated photograph was taken from the Old Steine, slightly to the left of the original location. The building on the corner of Marine Parade is now occupied by Harry Ramsden’s fish and chip restaurant. (Photographer: David Sears)
James Gray: There are no clues as to the period of these photographs. It looks as if the houses on the east side were still residential. I would think this large photograph dates from 1880-1890. jgc_10_007
2018: With several demolitions and structural changes over the past 130 years or so, few buildings remain recognisable. One exception is the second building from the left which remains unchanged. The east side is now primarily occupied by language schools, creative workshops and offices. (Photographer: Jane Jordan)
James Gray: These pillar boxes stood on almost the same spot at the corner of the Old Steine and Marine Parade. This view shows the oldest one placed here in April 1858, being one of the first four pillar-boxes installed in Brighton. The photograph dates from the 1860s. Additional Information: See also: jgc_4_050. jgc_10_010
2018: A couple stepping in the footsteps of the three likely lads in the original image. Harry Ramsden’s Fish and Chip Restaurant is the backdrop standing on the corner of Old Steine and Marine Parade. The nearest post box today is in Broad Street. (Photographer: Jane Jordan)
James Gray: By about 1870, this original box had been replaced by the other, seen here, outside the same building, although the angle chosen by the photographer makes it seem a different location. Additional Information: See also jgc_4_050. jgc_10_011
2018: To understand the unusual angle of the original image, comparison needs to be made against jgc_04_050. Here the posts and pillar box can clearly be seen with the background to provide perspective on this unusual angle. The balloons in Harry Ramsdens Fish and Chip shop window now stand proud in place of the pillar box. (Photographer: Jane Jordan)
James Gray: The east side of the Steine – about 1907. jgc_10_012
2018: The view today from the third floor of the Royal Albion Hotel. Harry Ramsden’s Fish and Chip restaurant sits on the corner site replacing the now demolished buildings seen in the original image. (Photographer: Jane Jordan)
James Gray: Views across the Steine Gardens from the east and west. It is not possible to state with accuracy the date of these photographs but such clues as there are suggest a period about 1890. jgc_10_013
2018: View from the balcony of Steine House – Brighton YMCA – previously home to Maria Fitzherbert. Due to the time of year, the view is slightly obstructed by foliage, but a comparison of the road, before and after, speaks volumes. (Photographer: Jane Jordan)
James Gray: Three photographs of the Steine at different periods. This is obviously the earliest but there is nothing to indicate the exact period. The fact that a horse bus can be seen suggests some time in the 1890s. jgc_10_021
2018: Looking north from the south-east corner of the Old Steine. In the centre distance is the junction leading right to St James Street, with Brighton War Memorial just visible through the trees to the left. (Photographer: Jane Jordan)
James Gray: Here the period is a little later. The fruiterer, R. W. Herriott, was at No 34 from 1901 until 1919. This is obviously a pre-war photograph, so it was taken between 1901 and 1914. jgc_10_022
2018: Following the demolition of No 34, the new building is now occupied by Harry Ramsden’s Fish and Chips Restaurant. In the far distance, No 3, from the original four buildings forming the ‘Blues and Buffs’, still stands. (Photographer: Jane Jordan)
James Gray: An unusual view of the Steine Gardens, providing a glimpse of the Old Chain Pier. Note the inner paths turning out of the main path. These have long since disappeared. The date of this photograph is probably about 1890. jgc_10_024
2018: This photograph was taken from the balcony of Steine House (YMCA) previously owned by Maria Fitzherbert. Looking south-east, the Steine Gardens continue to thrive. The saplings visible in the original image are now replaced by mature trees obscuring the view towards the Palace Pier. (Photographer: Jane Jordan)
James Gray: The east side of Old Steine, showing Nos 11-15 on 5 May 1862. These houses, originally known as North Parade, were built between 1780 and 1800 and No 12, the second from the left, has retained its façade almost unaltered ever since. The next three houses to the south were demolished in 1927 to make way for the present building occupied by J. Lyons tea-rooms. Additional Information: No.15 carries the legend “The Brighton General Mourning Warehouse”. Now, in 2009, occupied by Taj Stores. jgc_10_026
James Gray: General view of the east side soon after the removal of the railings and during the construction of the 1914-18 War memorial. Note the clear view of Lawsons Corner, and Nos. 1 and 2 (the old “Blue and Buffs”) facing down the Steine. No one way traffic in those days – even the trams are headed against the general stream of traffic. jgc_10_029
2018: View from the 3rd floor of the Royal Albion Hotel.
James Gray: Two photographs of the Steine [this one and jgc_10_031], in 1910. The chief interest here is that on the left can be seen a close view of 14 & 15 Old Steine Hotel, which together with the adjoining house, No 13, was removed in 1927 to make way for Lyons teashop. jgc_10_030
James Gray: This photograph provides few clues to the period, although it is a fair guess that it is from 1900-1914. jgc_10_079
2018: Looking north-east, toward the corner of St James’s Street. Lyons Teashop has now been replaced by Sainsbury’s Local store. (Photographer: Jane Jordan)
James Gray: Here can be seen 1 to 4 Old Steine, the “Blues and Buffs”. jgc_10_031
2018: Originally called North Parade. Following the widening of the road in 1928, just the two right-hand side buildings, Nos 3 and 4, of the ‘Blues and Buffs’ still stand. They probably once had buff stucco and blue iron and woodwork. Though nothing out of the ordinary, they were reputedly painted in those Whig colours to please the Prince of Wales. (Photographer: Jane Jordan)
James Gray: In 1927, three fine old houses, Nos 13-15 Old Steine, were demolished to make way for the restaurant and tea-rooms of J. Lyons & Co. Ltd. seen here. In the twenties and thirties these places enjoyed great popularity and Lyons had three others in Brighton, two in North Street and one in Western Road. This new restaurant, handily situated at the corner of St James’s Street, was to be Lyons’ flagship, much larger than the others. Times have changed and with them, public tastes. The building remains but Lyons have gone. jgc_10_036
2018: See caption for jgc_10_026 (Photographer: Jane Jordan)
James Gray: Another view of the tram terminus. jgc_10_038
2018: View from the 3rd floor of the Royal Albion Hotel overlooking the Steine Gardens. The tram terminus has long since gone. There are four cranes in the distance on the site of the old Circus Street municipal fruit and vegetable market. The market and the university annex have been demolished and the large site is being developed as a social and cultural innovation quarter. This is scheduled for completion in 2019. (Photographer: Jane Jordan)
James Gray: No comment. jgc_10_041
2018: View looking north from the 3rd floor of the Royal Albion Hotel. The tram terminus building no longer exists although the area is still dedicated to buses. The articulated 18 metre long No 25 bus which serves the universities can be seen. Known as bendy buses, they were introduced to Brighton in 2010. (Photographer: Jane Jordan)
James Gray: Note the demolition of 1 and 2 Old Steine, in progress. jgc_10_042
2018: All that remains of the ‘Blues and Buffs’ are Nos 3 and 4, now occupied by doctors’ surgeries. Sainsbury’s grocery store sits on the corner of St James’s Street. (Photographer: Jane Jordan)
James Gray: The twilight of the Trams. Note the lone tram just beyond the junction with St James’s Street. jgc_10_043
2018: The heavy flow of traffic is now helped by dedicated bus lanes that run along the length of the Old Steine and Pavilion Parade beyond. (Photographer: Jane Jordan)
James Gray: The tram terminus at the Steine, before the introduction of the one-way traffic system, and in the days when pedestrians could cross the road in safety. jgc_10_059
2018: View from the third floor of the Royal Albion Hotel. The tram terminus is no longer there, although the area is still used as a waiting and pickup point with the lane nearest the gardens restricted to buses only. The tower blocks to the distant right are St John’s Mount and Tyson Place built in the 1960s as part of the Edward Street redevelopment (Photographer: Jane Jordan)
James Gray: View looking down at the Steine crossing. jgc_10_070
2018: See jgc_10_059. (Photographer: Jane Jordan)
James Gray: Horse-cab and “cabby” on the west side of the Steine. This indistinct photograph was taken in 1860. The entrance to St James’s Street and Chantrey’s statue of George IV can be seen. jgc_09_126
James Gray: View across the Steine and east up St James’s Street. jgc_10_071
2019: In 2019, two things are missing – the horse and cab and the statue of George IV! The statue was created by the sculptor Sir Francis Chantrey and was originally erected in this position in the Steine Gardens in 1828 but was moved in 1922 in order to make way for the Brighton War Memorial, commemorating World War One. In 2019 the statue of George IV stands on a granite plinth in Church Street at the north gate to the Pavilion Gardens (see jgc_30_024-026 and 080). (Photographer: Ron Fitton)
James Gray: The photograph of Lawson’s Corner is of about 1934. jgc_10_080
James Gray: The rear of the premises from St James’s Street, showing the entrance to Steine Street and the side of the Central Hotel in Old Steine. jgc_10_083
James Gray: Just prior to demolition. This is another historic site. On this spot originally stood a library that was the first building erected to the east of the Steine. In 1760, when the old town extended westwards from the Steine to West Street, Bakers’ Library was erected here and stood in complete isolation for 30 years, for it was not until 1790 that other houses were built on each side of it. In 1806, this original building was removed, and replaced by that shown in the photograph. Until 1840 the new building continued to be used as a library. It was then converted into shops, known as 16, 17 and 18 Old Steine. For upwards of 60 years, No. 16, facing St James’s Street, was occupied by Messrs. Lawsons, the well known jewellers and watchmakers, hence the name “Lawsons’ Corner”. This view shows the Old Steine frontage in its last stages of delapidation. The central door was the original entrance to the library. jgc_10_082
James Gray: Photographs taken within a few months of each other during 1934. Lawsons’ Corner awaiting demolition and in the next view, the cleared site [see jgc_10_085 below]. jgc_10_084
James Gray: Farrow’s Bank Ltd. occupied part of the above premises, No 17-18, from 1907 until the crash of 1920, when the Bank went into liquidation. jgc_10_087
James Gray: Lawson’s Corner site after demolition. Note the tramway lines hugging the gardens’ pavement. jgc_10_085
James Gray: The building undergoing demolition. jgc_10_086
There are more images of the Old Steine on the ‘Historic Images of Brighton and Hove’ site: Click here to view