April 2014 Murder site pictures

[kensei]

It wasn't my intent in my original post to be disrespectful of the sites, or the photos, or Dave.

My question was simply would I learn/appreciate anything about the case that I couldn't get from this website by visiting the sites today given that things have changed so much. It might seem a trivial question to some but for those of us in the States the trip costs several thousand dollars and one has to justify to significant others why one wants to spend that money to visit a parking garage, etc.

Fortunately, the general consensus is that there still is great value in visiting these sites today and for that I remain excited about a possible trip.

Also fortunate, Barnaby, for those of us in the states who must spend those several thousand dollars (and I've spent years saving up for it in between my trips there), London has many other incredible attractions to justify the cost of the trip even if your main goal is to see the Ripper sites. There are many museums that have free admission, and many other stellar sites with fairly low admissions, as well as just amazing architecture everywhere you look. Needless to say, it's a history lover's dream. But to get the fullest experience out of the Ripper sites I highly reccomend doing what I did and visit more than just the C5 murder sites but include such sites as the Frances Coles murder (Swallow Gardens, not too far from the Stride site) and especially the gravesites. I visited the Nicholls and Eddowes graves which are just yards from each other, and Mary Kelly's which is in another cemetery and is an emotional experience unto itself. Taking in one of the guided Ripper tours as well as one's own personal walking tour is always an enjoyable experience too.

p.s. Don't forget "Mary's Corner," in front of the Ten Bells and across the street from Christchurch, two buildings contemporary to the time that are still there and that Mary would have looked at as she plied her trade. Apart from her grave, that is where I felt her presence the strongest.

[Barnaby]

Nice photos Dave, good job and welcome to casebook.

To anyone put off by the lack of cobblestone, gas lights and 'fog'...Yes the sites have changed of course, it's been a bloody good 125 years since!
However, take a tour at night and you still can get a very good impression of how the locations were during the Victorian era and also grasp the distances between sites giving one a much richer awareness of the geography, paths and last but not least, walk in the steps of ol' Jack

It wasn't my intent in my original post to be disrespectful of the sites, or the photos, or Dave.

My question was simply would I learn/appreciate anything about the case that I couldn't get from this website by visiting the sites today given that things have changed so much. It might seem a trivial question to some but for those of us in the States the trip costs several thousand dollars and one has to justify to significant others why one wants to spend that money to visit a parking garage, etc.

Fortunately, the general consensus is that there still is great value in visiting these sites today and for that I remain excited about a possible trip.

[kensei]

Anyone have any info on the current state of the Martha Tabram site? I know not everyone agrees she was a Ripper victim and that the original building at the site is long gone, but when I was there I found the archway one must walk through and the approach up Gunthorpe Street to get there to have a very rich atmosphere, and in fact Phillip Hutchinson began his tour there. Just past the archway there was a sign on the side of the White Hart pub describing the Ripper case and how suspect Severin Klosowski once lived in the basement of the pub.

[Cogidubnus]

Hi prot (Dave)

Thank you for those photos...things evolve...life goes on...but I think some of the atmosphere remains regardless, and your pictures do seem to capture what there is of it left to find...

Welcome to Casebook mate and I honestly hope you get as much out of it as I have...

All the best

(Another) Dave

[moonbegger]

Well said White Chap ,
The real history of London is not necessarily found in its Bricks and mortar , its an overwhelming vibe , and sense of history that attaches itself to all historical sites such as these , our darkest fears and curiosity's become instantly elevated , but only , if we are prepared to acknowledge them and let them wash over us . I have walked the fields at Flanders , also stood on the Grassy knol in Dallas , very emotive and powerful locations indeed .. But I still remember the goose bumps that hit me when I first walked down Bucks row ( Durward ) in 1981 .. Even today I find it one of the most chilling and atmospheric murder sites , From the actual murder spot , looking south west , you are looking at the same bricks and mortar (wall and School) that was witnessed by Polly and the Ripper .. What more do people want from a 125 year old murder site ???

On a final note .. Visit these places in the rain , London's history awakens in the rain , it takes on a new , almost timeless life .

cheers ,

Moonbegger ( Maybe its because I'm a Londoner , that I love London so )

[El White Chap]

Nice photos Dave, good job and welcome to casebook.

To anyone put off by the lack of cobblestone, gas lights and 'fog'...Yes the sites have changed of course, it's been a bloody good 125 years since!
However, take a tour at night and you still can get a very good impression of how the locations were during the Victorian era and also grasp the distances between sites giving one a much richer awareness of the geography, paths and last but not least, walk in the steps of ol' Jack

[Fisherman]

Aside from Buck's Row and perhaps Mitre Square, as someone educated on the case but not at all on the present geography, these pictures give me pause as whether or not I'd want to travel to the UK to do a Ripper tour. Of course very little is even remotely similar to 1888, but have we lost so much that it isn't even worth it assuming you know the story and aren't taking the tour to be entertained by that? Or, does enough remain that someone with a general knowledge of the case would learn things about the general physical layout of things by visiting even today?

The murder sites as such have changed, yes. But I still think that it is of the essence to do the tour in order to understand the overall picture. Itīs not until you do that you get a real feel for it.

Just my take, of course, but I have walked the East End streets many times, beginning in the 1970:s, actually (by mistake - I took the wrong tube line), and I always find new things to add to the picture.

The best,
Fisherman

[Barnaby]

Aside from Buck's Row and perhaps Mitre Square, as someone educated on the case but not at all on the present geography, these pictures give me pause as whether or not I'd want to travel to the UK to do a Ripper tour. Of course very little is even remotely similar to 1888, but have we lost so much that it isn't even worth it assuming you know the story and aren't taking the tour to be entertained by that? Or, does enough remain that someone with a general knowledge of the case would learn things about the general physical layout of things by visiting even today?

[Monty]

What's going there instead, Mont? Can't say I saw much wrong with the car park itself, so I presume it's not another car park!

http://www.google.co.uk/url?q=http:/...GSnXZRUkPgG3Sg

Monty

[Prot]

At the former Miller's Court I see you were up in the car park. Is that the only way to get close now? And by the way, those green doors- are those bricked up now for some reason?

It was the bank holiday when I was there, so I presume the business was just shut for the day, but I don't think you can get down there, as gates are at either end, so I popped in the car park to look down on it all. Quite shocked if they are knocking the car park down too, couldn't see much wrong with it myself.

Thanks for all the warm welcomes too.

Dave

[Sam Flynn]

The car park is now closed, pending demolition.

What's going there instead, Mont? Can't say I saw much wrong with the car park itself, so I presume it's not another car park!

[Monty]

The car park is now closed, pending demolition.

Monty

[kensei]

Thanks Dave, I'm going there in July and have been wondering what access to the sites is like now so I needed to see these. I've been there twice before in 2004 and 2008, and in '08 I did the solo walking tour and like you said it is a fascinating experience for anyone interested in the case. At the former Miller's Court I see you were up in the car park. Is that the only way to get close now? And by the way, those green doors- are those bricked up now for some reason?

[Hatchett]

Hi,

Thanks for the Pics. I liked them.

[John Wheat]

Thanks for the photos.

Welcome to the Casebook Dave.

Cheers John