Diemschutz and Westow Hill

[Chris Scott]

Below is a pic of Westow Hill where Diemschutz had been prior to his return to Berner Street
I have no idea what the large tower in the distance is
This pic was taken about 1898
Chris

[Rob Clack]

Hi Chris,

It's a water tower used to supply water pressure to the fountains in Crystal Palace Park. There were two situated in the park and the one in the photo would be the South one. They were designed by Brunel.

Rob

[Chris Scott]

Hi Rob
Many thanks for that
Judging from the size of the houses next to it it was one hell of a size!
Chris

[Sam Flynn]

Judging from the size of the houses next to it it was one hell of a size!

...are we sure it's not the anarchist, and sometime frequenter of the Berner Street club, Rudolf Rocket?

[Rob Clack]

Hi Chris,

Yes it was huge. This is a photo of the other tower. The Crystal Palace was between the two.



Rob

[Chris Scott]

Rob

Great pic of the Crystal Palace - haven't seen that one before
Any idea of the distance from Westow Hill to Berner Street that Diemschutz would have travelled that night?
many thanks
Chris

[Rob Clack]

Hi Chris,

It's about 9 miles from Westow Hill to Berner Street.

Rob

[Suzi]

Blimey!!! Amazing pics!!!......these were some serious towers....How did they work????!!!!

As to Diemschutz I reckon he was selling little pieces of cheap but probably fun geegaws of jewellery (difficult to say that!) ....easily bought by a girl, or a boy who wanted to impress, for a few pennies, or at the most a shilling.

Mr D had probably had a good day until he turned off and the pony thought....'Uh Oh!'.....

[Graham]

I'd no idea until now that the Crystal Palace was so huge! And far more of a success in its day that the Millenium Dome ever was or ever will be...

Is anything left of it after it burned down in the 1930's?

Off-thread I know, but I'm interested!

Westow Hill seems to be rather up-market - not knowing London too well is it a street-name or a district?

Cheers,

Graham

[Sam Flynn]

Westow Hill seems to be rather up-market - not knowing London too well is it a street-name or a district?

It's a street name, Graham, located - so Google Maps tells me - in the district of Upper Norwood.

[Stephen Thomas]

Is anything left of it after it burned down in the 1930's?

Off-thread I know, but I'm interested!

Westow Hill seems to be rather up-market - not knowing London too well is it a street-name or a district?

Hi Graham

The grounds of Crystal Palace are now a park and you can stand on the foundations of the building. There are still the original concrete steps that would have led up to the ground floor. Westow Hill is just a street name not a London district and the area is OK but not up-market for London.

[Graham]

It's a street name, Graham, located - so Google Maps tells me - in the district of Upper Norwood.

Thanks for this, Sam.

Upper Norwood - where Pondicherry Lodge was situated in 'The Sign Of Four'...and the scene of 'The Adventure of the Norwood Builder'.

Elementary.

Cheers,

Graham

[Stephen Thomas]

In fact here's a map of the park showing the outline of the Crystal Palace and Westow Hill. The white area behind the Palace is the famous Crystal Palace athletics stadium, which for 30 odd years has been the grottiest major stadium in Western Europe.

[Christine]

Penge down there in the lower right corner would be the site of the famous (fictional) "Penge Bungalow Murders.

[Sam Flynn]

Penge down there in the lower right corner would be the site of the famous (fictional) "Penge Bungalow Murders.

Bloodnok: Now you go ahead, Neddie, while I turn a deaf ear.

Seagoon: I didn't know you had a deaf ear.

Bloodnok: Yes, yes! I found it on the floor of a barber-shop in Penge.