Edwardian Postcards of Abingdon

The most popular scenes of Abingdon are those of the river, bridge and marketplace. Albert Park, High Street, East St. Helen Street, the Church and Almshouses are also popular subjects. Notable by their absence in my collection (so far) are West St. Helen Street, Bury Street and the Vineyard. The number of the cards showing other locations appear to be privately produced cards taken for the owners of houses featured.

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Non-picture cards. Whilst not the focus of this website, I've included a few examples in this collection to anchor the start of the picture postcard era.

The Bridge

Abingdon Bridge was built between 1416 and 1422. It is actually two bridges that connect with Nag's Head Island. It takes it's name from the Nag's Head Pub which is situated on the island. The island was also home to Steven's boat yard and Tea Gardens (now where the pub's beer gardens are).

The bridge was extensively rebuilt in 1927, with the narrow arches over the main navigation channel being consolidated into one single arch. This is an easy "tell" for dating postcards that feature the bridge. I'm not sure how long the boat yard and tea gardens were in operation, by James Stevens died June 14th 1902, and it looks like his son John took over the business afterwards. The 1921 census shows John's wife, Mary listed as a "caterer".

Abingdon Lock

Abingdon Lock was built in in 1790. The current lock-keeper's house dates to 1928 - the earlier house was smaller, square building. The lock was repaired in April-May 1905. In photos before this the walls of the lock appear to be stone built, and in photos after this date they appear to be concrete/mortar.

St. Helen's Wharf

Views of St. Helen's Wharf.

St. Helen's from the Bridge

Views of St. Helen's Church from Abingdon bridge are so common as to almost be a cliche for postcards of the town from this time. The main variation only being from-which span the photo was taken, and the traffic on the river.

Marketplace

Views of the market place, County Hall, St. Nicholas Church and the Abbey Gateway. Civic and Monastic architecture dominates this section.

19021006-AbingdonWrench466
19030406-MarketPlace
19030508-MarketPlace
19040926-TheTownHall
19050323-InternationalStores
19050722-AbingdonTownHall
19050816-MarketPlace
19051221-TheTownHall (duplicate)
19060416-TownHallandMarketPlace
19060408-GFPalmer
19060709-Townhall
19070219-TownHall
19080122-TownHall (duplicate)
19080207-MarketPlace
19090929-MarketPlace
19111104-MarketPlace (duplicate)
Valentines-36312-MarketPlace (duplicate)
Valentines-36312-MarketPlace-Undivided (duplicate)
AbingdonTownHall
TownHallandMarketPlace
TownHallHooke
InternationalStores
HeraldicMarketPlace
Valentines36312-MarketPlace (duplicate)

Radley College

19030917-RadleyCollege

Abbey Gateway

Albert Park and Abingdon School

Views of Albert Park, Abingdon School, and Park Road.

St. Helen's Church and the Almshouses

Views of St. Helen's Church and the Almshouses.

Town Centre Streets

The medieval streets of Abingdon - East St. Helen, High Street, Ock Street. These postcards focus on the more picturesque streets.

Other local interest

Cards that are almost certainly local to Abingdon but lack a precise location.

Other Streets

The "modern" streets of Abingdon - this context mostly Victorian housing developments along Ock Street and Radley Road. Many of the cards in this section would appear to be private commissions.

The Abbey Buildings

Multiview

Cards with more than one image. Some of these are quite sophisticated and colourful cards much like ones you'd buy today, others appear to be more crudely made in the manner of contact prints.

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The Bridge

Abingdon Lock

St. Helen's Wharf

St. Helen's from the Bridge

Marketplace

Radley College

Abbey Gateway

Albert Park and Abingdon School

St. Helen's Church and the Almshouses

Town Centre Streets

Other local interest

Other Streets

The Abbey Buildings

Multiview