Good morning Bath! Elsewhere on this page l featured a photograph – taken in Laura Place around 1910 – and featuring the taxis that were stationed there at that time.
Stretching away behind the vehicles and the fountain was a tree-lined Great Pulteney Street.
One of the responses to the story came from Bath Newseum follower Sally Helvey who asked when and why the trees were removed from the scene.
Well, Sally has done a bit of digging and has come back with – not only another fantastic postcard photo – but an explanation to the mystery of the disappearing foliage.
She says:
Kirsten Elliott – local author, historian and publisher said:
Dear Richard:
It appears it was always called Great Pulteney Street â the advertisements for builders in 1790 onwards call it that.
Of course, trees were never intended for the street at all. See attached picture.
Hope this helps.
I was also interested in the bit about it being Great Pulteney Street – I assume
that as William Johnstone Pulteney saw it as the grand entrance to Bath it
deserved to be called Great. He was not a shrinking violet.
Keep up the good work, Richard. In a mad world, the Bath Newseum is much appreciated.
For what its worth the dictionary says ‘Great’ means ‘impressive or grand; the larger part of a place; of quality or eminence and worthy of notice
