State of Boston Gaol

1808
AN ACCOUNT OF THE RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE OF THE
SOCIETY FOR THE DISCHARGE AND RELIEF OF PERSONS IMPRISONED FOR SMALL DEBTS THROUGHOUT ENGLAND AND WALES.

Zeppelins

In January 1916, during the First World War, German Zeppelins appeared in the skies over Boston. The first raids went over without incident but on the night of September 2nd 1916 Zeppelin L23 dropped bombs on Boston for the first time.

Zeppelin L23.

Four bombs hit the town, with the one striking the Grand Sluice causing the most damage. One member of the lock-keepers family was killed and several more people injured. Boston was only bombed because the Zeppelin involved in the raid had intended to bomb London but was unable to find its target because of bad weather. In January 1917 four anti-aircraft guns were stationed in Boston for defence but although Zeppelins continued to pass over the town it was never bombed again.

J. Carr and Son

J Carr and Son is an old business in Boston. It was founded in 1909 by Joseph Carr and started life at 70 Bargate End as a small ironmongers.

Once established, the shop prospered and neighbouring properties were purchased to enlarge the premises. Joseph was a cabinet maker and joiner by profession and was able to use his skills to diversify into undertaking, picture framing, glazing (including motor vehicles) and coach building. The 1960’s saw the acquisition of new properties round the corner at 10 and 11 Horncastle Road, Boston.

Carr's in the 1970's.

Lawnmower sales took off and was soon backed up servicing ,spares and sharpening being offered. Growth in this area lead to the re-development of the Horncastle Road site.
Increased competition from D.I.Y. superstores began to effect the tool and ironmongery shop and business became much harder. The mower shop faired much better, going from strength to strength and Carr's continues trading in Boston to this day.

The Horncastle Road site.

White Hart burglary

In the “London Chronicle” dated December 18^th. 1812 was the following report about Boston.

“Several daring burglaries have been committed in this town, within these few days back, which call for the most vigilant activity to discover the perpetrators, and arrest the progress of this increasing enormity.
On Sunday night the mail-coach office and warehouse at the White Hart were broken into, and a box belonging to Mr. Oates, upholsterer, despoiled of 120 yards of bombazeen, worth about £25. The robbers, after extracting the contents, filled the box with rubbish, ice, etc. and nailed it up leaving it where it was. They served a box of Mr. Jackson, silversmith, in the same way, after extracting the contents, value £32. Three crimson shawls, and other articles were also taken from a parcel belonging to Mr. Fuller, silk mercer, in Bargate, and Mr. Smith of Spilsby had a valuable parcel robbed at the same time.

On the same evening, or early yesterday morning, the counting house of Mr. Samuel Burnard, High Street, was broken into by some infamous villains, who fortunately were disappointed of their object, and forced to make a precipitated retreat, leaving part of a pick-lock key in the desk, which they were attempting to break open”.

Two Signs

The man stood in front of St. Botolph's Church in this picture is Mr. G.E. Hackford’s (a Boston photographer) Uncle. There are two signs above the doorway he is standing in, one warned people where the key to the fire station was obtainable, while the other draws attention to the fact that shaking rugs in the churchyard is not permitted!!

Old shop in Market Place

This Shop stood in the Market Place where the present Lloyd’s TSB bank is now.

It was once Nunnelly’s China Tea Stores and when it was built the staircase was left out by mistake which was considered to be a great joke at the time.

Later it became a high class drapers (known in the old days as a silk mercer’s) occupied by Messrs. Pack, Palethorpe and Clayton and was looked on as one of the best shops in the town. Mr. Garfit bought the premises and built his bank on the site and Lloyd’s bank eventually became the owners.

Mason's Corner

In July 1933 the shops of Messrs. Mason’s and Mr. S.T. Hopper were set back ten feet from the then building line.

Above and below: The corner before the change.

An empty shop between the two was absorbed and, in consequence, Mason’s increased its floor space by one third and Hopper’s also had an increase, as well as this both were given an extra floor to provide extra accommodation.

After the changes.

Mason’s shoe shop was started in 1884, but prior to that the business was conducted in Church Street.
Mr. Hopper said that he was hoping to make the first floor showrooms and have workrooms above.
It was hoped at the time that it would result in a much improved corner, wider thoroughfare at this point and an impressive new frontage.
When the Red Lion was demolished and a new Woolworths store was built in its place it was also put in line with Mason's and Hoppers as this 1980's picture below shows.