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Welcome to "Old Ramsgate"...

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Identical scenes from last century and today...

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1897-1905

2006

I hope you enjoy this blog - it's a collection of photos of the town of Ramsgate during it's early heyday, compared with the same scenes today, over a hundred years later. I find it interesting to see what has changed over all the years.

Click on a link (to the left) under "Recent Posts", to visit different areas of the town, and I hope you enjoy the journey back in time!

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A description of Ramsgate in a Victorian journal of the Nineteenth century:

"The streets of Ramsgate are well paved or macadamised, and brilliantly lighted with gas. There are establishments and a savings bank, with a literary institute, assembly-rooms, a small theatre, several good libraries, dispensary, town-hall, custom-house, music-hall, gas-works, water- works, &c. An excellent promenade on the West Cliff has been laid out in an ornamental manner, and forms a delightful source of healthy recreation. The bathing-machines are under the East Cliff where also, as well as in front of the harbour, there are well-appointed warm baths, &c. The markets are extremely well supplied meat, excellent fish, & ; and few places on the coast are so cheap, as well as healthy and agreeable for a summer’s residence.
We need not be surprised at the popularity which Ramsgate continues to enjoy as a watering place, when these and many other advantages present themselves for the convenience of the visitor.
The environs of Ramsgate are charmingly picturesque and diversified. Several handsome residences are here. East Cliff Lodge, pleasantly situated about a mile to the north-east of the town, is a large marine villa, belonging to Sir Moses Montefiore, Knight. The caverns at East Cliff deserve particular notice: they are formed by an excavation at the distance of thirty feet from the cliff, and parallel with it, descending gradually to the level of the shore. This subterraneous passage receives its light from arches of such large capacity as to resemble rooms, which are cut at right angles through the chalky cliffs opening to the sea and these arches being in summer carpeted with turf, and covered with shrubs and flowers, appear very picturesque. The lowest arch terminates in a passage leading directly to the beach.
Sir Moses Montefiore has, at his own expense, erected a synagogue at Hereson.
About a quarter of a mile westward of Ramsgate, is Ellington. In the reign of Elizabeth, this estate became the property of the Spracklings, several of whom lie buried in the chancel of St. Lawrence."

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*** COMPETITION ! ***

Below is a very old picture from 1788, which shows "The Bathing Place" at Ramsgate...

Does anyone know exactly where this was, from looking at the picture?

Feel free to add a comment with your answer!

Acknowledgement:
Many Thanks to Janet & Richard's Genealogy Homepage for their kind permission to use many of the original postcards from their personal collection. More 'Ramsgate in old postcards' and other useful information can be found on their site here, or from the links page.

Recent Updates:

20/11/07 - Amended links to posts in template to ensure they are always visible.

Why not Buy the Book?

"Ramsgate - Then & Now" has recently been published by the History Press, in an attractive 96 page book. This first edition includes all of the old & new images from this site, as well as many more, and over 10,000 words of supporting captions and historical information, to complement the images.

If you have enjoyed visiting this site, why not buy the book, which would make the perfect gift for any Ramsgatonian, old or new!

£9.99 (inc. P&P)

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The Town

Ramsgate High Street, c.1905

Ramsgate High Street, 2006

The main Precinct in Ramsgate High St, this is the cross roads with Harbour Street straight ahead, King Street to the left, and Queen Street to the right. The original building on the right with the pillared frontage is now the Halifax building society, with the front facade having been redeveloped, minus the attractive pillars. Page & Sons is now the Harbour Parade Bar.

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High Street, looking towards Queen Sreet, 1907

Same view, 99 years later!

Original picture: This was taken during the "French Visit" of August 6th, 1907. The pillared building on the left is now the Halifax. As in the previous picture, the frontage has changed significantly, but this distinctive corner building is still recognizable. I think these days Health and Safety would have something to say about that crowd of people standing on the roof, with no safety railings!

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Vale Road, c.1890

Vale Road, 2006

The Vale Tavern still very much in use! Scene hasn't really changed that much except for the obvious addition of cars. Any more changes? Play "spot the difference"!

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Plains of Waterloo, c.1905

Plains of Waterloo, 2006

No. 50 is still a grocery store, a hundred years later!

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Spencer Square, c.1900's

Spencer Square, 2006

The original bowling green is now tennis courts. Carlton House was originally a YMCA hostel in the early picture, not any more! Other than the new pavillion/refreshments building, not a lot else has changed, probably because these buildings are all grade 2 listed.

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St. Mildreds Road, c.1900's

St. Mildreds Road, 2006

Nice to see the trees still remain!

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St. George's church, c.1895 and 2006

St. Augustine's Abbey, c.1900's St. Augustines Abbey, 2006

Designed by the famous local architect, Augustus Pugin. Note the two lion statuettes above the gate... see if you can spot these same statuettes in a picture of another famous Pugin building on this site

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No. 6, Albion Hill, 1915

The same building, 2006

Since repaired!

The original photo shows no.6 Albion Hill, damaged by a Zepellin airship raid during the First World War. This was likely one of the first times the town had ever experienced an aerial bombardment, judging by the look of wonderment on some of the local's faces.

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Aberdeen House, c.1905

Aberdeen House, 2006

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Hereson Road Station, 1958

Same view, from the platform, 1958

Site of Hereson Road station, 2006

The Hereson road entrance to the 'Scenic Railway' was opened on July 31st, 1936, and closed in 1964. It joined with the main Station at Ramsgate Sands (see Ramsgate Sands and eastcliff post).

The tunnel entrance was filled in, and the station site is now a second hand car dealership.

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The old Ramsgate Town Station (c.1900)

Site of the old Ramsgate Town Station, 2007

In the mid-1800's, the old windmills on this site were pulled down to make way for the original Ramsgate town railway station. It was located at the top of Margate Road, next to the Hovis Mill site.

During the First World War, the station received a direct hit from a Zeppelin air raid, and was never used again. In 1926 McAlpines built the railway through from Margate to Canterbury and the site lay derelict for many years. After the Second World War the site was cleared and the existing Chatham Court flats were built in it's place.

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Ramsgate Mill, 1900

The Ramsgate Mill as it was in 1900. Note the horse and cart at the side of the mill, and the old railway on the far left

Ramsgate Mill, 2007

The additional frontage to the main building (the screen room) was constructed in the early 1900's and the large silo to the left was built in 1935.

The site was closed in 2005 as Rank Hovis deemed it was no longer commercially viable. The site is up for sale, and will likely be converted into residential flats. The main building is grade 2 listed.

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Ramsgate Library, 1904

Ramsgate Library (remains of!), 2007

The grand building which was Ramsgate Library was built in 1904. The original postcard shows it during the winter time. The park in the original photo has long vanished, and has since been built on with houses, as can be seen in the modern photo. Sadly, only a few months away from it's centenary, the library was completely destroyed by an arson attack in August 2004, with only the Edwardian facade remaining. Plans to rebuild it are progressing well.
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Harbour Street, 1900

Harbour Street, 2007

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High Street, c.1905

High Street, 2007

Sadly this view from the top of Ramsgate High Street is obscured by temporary hoardings

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Grange Road, c.1905

Note the Windmill in the centre of the picture, on the left side of the road. The windmill was one of several in Ramsgate, and was demolished many years ago. It is now a row of shops.

Grange Road, 2007

Without the Windmill!

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St. Lawrence High Street, c.1905

St. Lawrence High Street, 2007

The differences between these two scenes is dramatic! The entire row of buildings on the right hand side of the High Street were demolished during the 1930's and '40's, to enable the road to be widened, so as to cope with increasing traffic demands. The Petrol Station and post office now stand in their place, with newer houses set further back. The fronts of the original terraced buildings would have been where the hatching is in the middle of the road in the new picture. You can also just make out the Wheatsheaf pub in the middle of the picture (behind the white road sign), and it was originally painted pink!

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Augusta Road, c.1905

Augusta Road, 2007

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The Harbour

Harbour Parade - 1901

Harbour Parade - 2001

(not much has changed except the mode of public transportation!)

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1860 – Inner Harbour

A very early view of the inner harbour basin near the entrance to Harbour St, with Albion Place behind. The Royal Clarence Baths (left) are now Harvey’s Pub and Restaurant (below)

Same view, 2001

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1893 – York Terrace and the Arcade

The Royal Temple Yacht Club is top left, having been established in Ramsgate for over a century

Same view, 2001

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Inner Harbour, 1893

Same view, 2007