Next 1910's

Click on a picture to enlarge - Updated on 5th April 2008

Exeter During the 'Belle Epoque' - 1900 to 1909

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Coronation of Edward VII 1902
The programme for the first day of events to celebrate the Coronation of Edward VII. Exeter had a full programme of events across the city for two days on 26th and 27th June, 1902.

Cathedral Bells recast 1902
In 1901 it was decided to refurbish the bells in the Cathedral. On 24th June 1902, to celebrate the Coronation of Edward VII, the bells were rehung. This is the arrival of one of the recast bells outside the west front. From the Coronation Programme.

Thomas Moore opens 1907
In 1907, Thomas Moore opened at 103 Fore Street - it is now the oldest store trading in Fore Street. Photo courtesy of Thomas Moore.

Buller Statue unveiled 1905
The Buller Statue was unveiled on 7th September 1905 to a large crowd. It was paid for through a public subscription.

The Hippodrome Theatre was opened on 2 November 1908 after the Royal Public Rooms were converted by Fred Karno into a theatre. The first performance was a variety programme with an artistic adaptation of St Mary Steps Church as a backdrop. There was also a full orchestra in the pit.

General Buller dies 1908 General Sir Redvers Buller died at his home in Crediton in June 1908 at the age of 68. He was buried in Crediton. Buller gained a Victoria Cross in the Zulu War of 1879. The photo shows guns being fired to honour the General at his funeral.

New power station 1905 Exeter's second power station was opened in 1905, ready for the introduction of the new electric trams. It was coal powered and had a Babcock & Wilcox boiler with a 155 ft chimney for the flue gases. Where the railway trucks are, is now Piazza Terracina. The Mayor, Cllr. Perry opened the station in 1905. The works were designed from the start to allow for expansion, which was needed in 1906 when Heavitree was added to the 'Exeter grid'. See Exeter's Electricity Stations for more. Both photos courtesy SW Electricity Historical Society

Film Show at the Theatre Royal 1901
In 1901 the Theatre Royal gave an animated picture show that included the funeral of Queen Victoria and 60 scenes of army life. Although not the first film show in Exeter, it was the first at the Theatre Royal. The card dates from 1905.

W G Hoskins, the historian, broadcaster and author of Two Thousand Years in Exeter was born in 1908, at 26-28 St Davids Hill. He lived in St Leonard's for many years..

The Express and Echo was launched on October 1st 1904 by its founder, James Owen. Owen went on to be Exeter's Mayor from 1914 to 1918. He was Knighted in 1918.

St David's Church was consecrated on 9th January 1900 in the presence of the Mayor. Designed by W D Caroe, it was the first church in the city to have electric light installed.

Exeter's Chief Constable installed his first telephone in 1901. The first telephone exchange was established in 1883.

In July 1902 the City Council minuted that they "... resolve, that in the opinion of this Council, it is most desirable in the interests of education and commerce that the Metric System of weights & measures should be made compulsory in the British Empire..." We made fast progress then.....

Transport in the 1900's

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Standfield and White
Facing adverts, dating from a circa 1908 guide book shows they were one of the earliest garages in Exeter. There were few cars then, so garages often did general engineering work as well. See the early history of early motoring

The Cornishman 1900
The Cornishman leaves St Davids Station - circa 1900. Two Great Western Railway 4-4-0 Duke class engines are hauling a train from Penzance to Paddington - what is known as 'double heading'. Also see St David's GWR Station

Traction Engine accident - Fore Street 1906
This accident occurred on 25 April 1906 in Fore Street. It appears that the trailer load of bricks has parted from the traction engine towing it up the hill, and tipped over. The tram service would have been disrupted while the bricks were cleared away.

River Exe car crash
This accident happened towards the end of the Edwardian reign, judging by the registration number, which indicates the car is from Manchester. The accident has pulled a good crowd - I bet there were a few sarcastic comments about new fangled motor cars not being as safe as the good old horse and cart.

Electric Trams opened 1905
At 12.31 on Tuesday 4th April 1905, the Mayor E C Perry took the controls of the first tram of five to run along the High Street, down Paris Street to Livery Dole and back to the Guildhall. The Mayoress was presented with a bouquet of carnations and white heather with an attached shoe from one of the retiring horses. Within a couple of weeks, more than 100,000 passengers per week were being carried. The procession was led by one of the old horse trams as far as the depot. The 22 horses were sold on 15th April for the total of £282-8-0d. The electric trams did not show adverts until the 1920's. See History of transport in Exeter for more on the trams.

The postcard on the right shows a 'modern' electric tram and the obsolete horse-drawn tram. The sender wrote 'there is a little difference in these trams, isn't there'. Postcard courtesy of Sadru Bhanji

Tram crosses new bridge 1905
A tram trundles over the Exe Bridge towards Fore Street. The bridge was specially designed to take the new 'electric' trams. At this time there were probably fewer than twenty cars in Exeter.

Last Car to Heavitree 1907
By 1907, postcard publishers were printing cards taking a humorous look at the electric trams. This one is the The last car to Heavitree.

NEW An advert appeared in the Flying Post in January 1903 for the first motor bus service in the city - "A motorbus will shortly be in Exeter for passenger traffic to and from ST ANNE'S CHAPEL and EXE BRIDGE". It went on "SHORT DISTANCES 1d - 2d ALL THE WAY". I have not established whether it ever ran.

In 1904 there were 12 private cars registered in Exeter - by 1907 there were seventy. The first car registration number for Exeter was FJ 1. By 1934, the registration FJ 8300 had been reached for Exeter's first police van. See the early history of early motoring

Shopping and Commerce in the 1900's

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Kitts children's clothes 1902
An advert for Kitt & Sons, a specialist in boys' clothing. This advert dates from June 1902 when it appeared in the Exeter Edward VII Coronation Programme guide. Anyone want a sailor suit....

Robert M Flint tent manufacturers 1902
Robert Flint, tent contractor was based in Rockfield House from 1902. Reid and Lee moved into the building in 1928. It is now Longbrook House, home of the Inland Revenue. See Longbrook House - New North Road for a full history of the site. From the

Stone's Chemist 1902
An advert for Stone's Chemist - from the June 1902 Exeter Coronation Programme.

Wippell & Co 1908
An advert for Wippell, the ecclesiastical outfitters from 1908. Apart from their High Street premises, they had workshops in St Thomas where they produced church furniture.

Boon's the butchers
A traditional butcher with sides of meat hanging in the open shop front - modern regulations would not allow this now. These premises were near Eastgate.

John C Guest pianos
Guest's are using the Coronation of Edward VII to promote the Coronation Iron Piano for £23.

R D Chudley - game, poultry and pork butcher 1906
Richard Dunn Chudley traded from 18 North Street in 1906 with John Gregory White as a game dealer, poulterer and pork butcher.

W Brock & Co furniture
Brocks offered house removals, estate agency services, funeral arrangements, upholstery and sold furniture.

Around and About Exeter in the 1900's

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The old Exe Bridge 1903 
The Georgian Exe Bridge - built in 1778 to replace the medieval bridge. The first traffic to cross this bridge was a funeral cortège. It was demolished in 1903. Also see History of the Exe Bridges

The new Exe Bridge 1905
The replacement steel bridge, was opened in 1905. The photo shows the flags and bunting at the opening. Behind can be seen the temporary wooden bridge that was shortly demolished. The new bridge was flat, to allow the new electric trams to pass over. Designed by Sir John Wolf Barry, the bridge was a three hinge cantilever design. Also see History of the Exe Bridges

Stepcote Hill 1905
Probably photographed about 1905, this image is from a postcard. Stepcote Hill was once the main route into the city from the Exe Bridge, and was originally part of a Roamn road that led from the crossing over the Exe. This may be a Sunday, judging by the number of children and the well dressed man with the umbrella. Also see Stepcote Hill - detail right. 

Merchants House, West Street
The shop at the bottom of Stepcote Hill. On the opposite corner (left) is St Mary Steps Church. Properties to the right were owned by E Pearse and Co, rag, bone and skin merchants. They traded until the 1980s when their premises became a Porsche dealership!

West Street
Looking up West Street - the 'House That Moved' has not yet moved... Stepcote Hill is between the church and the house/shop to the right. The small lane to the left of West Street, between the houses is Rackclose Lane. Also see the House that Moved

Exeter City Football Team 1904/5 Exeter City was formed in 1904 by the amalgamation of St Sidwell's and Exeter United. The new team played at the old United ground of St James' Park in green and white. The photo shows the 1904/5 side. See Exeter City FC

The Eastgate Arcade
The Eastgate Arcade was situated almost opposite New London Inn Square. It would be directly opposite the modern Boots. Also see Eastgate Arcade

The Guildhall 1906
The Guildhall in 1906 - in medieval times, stocks were set up between the columns. The building also served as a police station, gaol and a court. Also see Guildhall - High Street

Queen Street
Photographed in 1908 and 2005, looking towards the High Street. Northernhay Gardens is left and Northernhay Street on the right. Also see Queen Street

The Canal Basin
The Canal Basin, built by James Green, around about 1905. Exeter still has some maritime trade at this time.

St Sidwell's Church 1900
St Sidwells Church from Northernhay Park, overlooking New North Road - circa 1900. St Sidwells was probably Exeters most important church outside of the city walls. For more see St Sidwell's Church

Bishop Blackall School
The Girls' Middle School, Pennsylvania Road - circa 1900. This school became Bishop Blackall School. It is now an annexe of Exeter College. Also see history of Bishop Blackall School and St Peter's High School

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