IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
George Street, STOCKTON-ON-TEES, TS17 6DE

On George Street in the Mandale Triangle. Now occupied by various businesses.

Situated in what is known locally as the Thornaby Triangle, in effect an island surrounded by a busy one way system this once proud building now stands neglected. It was presented to the town in 1892 by T Wrightson Esq. of Head Wrightsons, the iron and steel company which occupied the substantial area of land on the banks of the Tees known as Thornaby Carrs. Head Wrightsons was obviously a major employer in the town.

Built in the late 1800s this building was used by the Thornaby Fire Brigade through nationalisation in 1941 until 1974 when a new fire station was built on Master Road in the new town.

Showing position of Postbox No. TS17 318. See Image] for postbox.

Postbox No. TS17 318. See Image] for context.

Opened in 1830 by the Stockton & Darlington Railway on its line to Middlesbrough, the station here has variously been called Guisborough Lane, Stockton, Stockton South and South Stockton. It was rebuilt numerous times and appears to have moved from one side of the Guisborough Lane (now Mandale Street) bridge, visible here, to the other. The 1848 rebuild seems to have been located in the immediate foreground, at which time the previous S&DR terminus station over the river (see Image) was closed to passengers. However, enlargements were required again in 1853, then in 1858 a new station was opened on the far side of the bridge. In 1882, this station was also rebuilt, now by the North Eastern Railway, and including a large island platform. In 1892 it was renamed Thornaby, the platform of which can just be seen through the right hand arch of the bridge.

Built in 1892 the Town Hall was a source of pride for the young town. A plaque reads: "By The Generosity Of Alderman William Anderson, First Mayor of Thornaby-on-Tees The Clock and Chimes in this Tower were given for the Benefit of the People." The architect was James Garry of West Hartlepool. Pevsner describes the building as "a totally undistinguished design on a visually most unsuitable site". Not to his taste then. Today the Thornaby Town Council stills meets here although most of the original administrative functions of the Municipal Borough of Thornaby-on-Tees have been absorbed into the present Borough Council of Stockton-on-Tees. The building itself is Grade II listed.

At the junction with Railway Terrace (left).