Priory Road by Victoria Stakes 2, circa 1899

Comment by andy h on October 5, 2016 at 10:13

I love the signs with the pointing hands

Comment by Hugh on October 5, 2016 at 10:24

They are fun, aren't they. What seemed a little odd to me is the a one pointing west doesn't include mention of Muswell Hill. I can only assume that this was shot prior to the Edwardian building boom that created the neighbourhood we know today and that prior to this it was too insignificant to warrant inclusion.

Comment by Arthur Astrop on October 5, 2016 at 11:13

Splendid pic, Hugh.  But what is that curious bent-over lamp post (with its lamp bitten off) in front of the finger post?  Not a foul pipe, surely?

Arthur

Comment by Hugh on October 5, 2016 at 11:20

It always amazes me how many things i don't notice in these pictures (even after clicking on the full-size button under the picture). 

I wonder if it's an early form of fire hydrant?

Comment by Arthur Astrop on October 5, 2016 at 11:38

Possibly, but if so then one might expect to see some form of coupling on the open end.  A thread, or a bayonet-fitting, or something like that.  Instead, it just seems to be plain, and cut-off parallel with the pavement.   Ah well, I don't suppose we will ever know now!

Arthur

Comment by Hugh on October 5, 2016 at 11:45

I was imagining a pre-modern basic set-up where the water poured into a container, rather like the old steam train set-up.

Comment by andy h on October 5, 2016 at 11:53

Hugh, Maybe Mussie the hill isn't as old as we've been led to believe. Could it be that it just didn't exist then and it's made up of the spoil from Londons canals? Dumped well and truly outside the city. Or maybe a crashed alien space ship that's just been covered over cos people didn't know what to do with it and thought it was a bit unsightly, but to big to bury.

Comment by Hugh on October 5, 2016 at 11:57

Maybe that's it. Perhaps the view is actually towards the site of present-day Muswell Hill.

Comment by Hugh on October 7, 2016 at 9:28

Well spotted, Vic I wonder if the pipe is removed in winter.

Comment by Roy aka Smiffy on May 26, 2017 at 17:37

The bent pipe is for filling water-carts. Which were horse drawn then and was a galvanised tank on wheels. Used to wash down the roads and gullies – remember there was much horse ‘manure’ to get rid of.

In the city they took it away by cart. In the suburbs and quiet streets it was swept up and washed down the drain.

The stand pipe could be used by steam driven vehicles to top-up and also the Fire Brigade to fill up the water tank and the steam boiler that drove the horse-drawn pump.

You needed a key – you can just see on the right where it goes.

There is still one that I know of in Bognor Regis and Maiden Bradley, both devoid of their spouts.

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