Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!

Wood High Road c1960

This is shot from Whymark Avenue looking north, The moderne with the tower was Bartons Department store, which used to occuopy 26-36 High Road.

This photo is linked to a 1925 photo shot a little further north

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Albums: Historical Images of Wood Green | 2 of 2

Comment by Ken Stevens on March 4, 2022 at 14:15: This is a 1925 image of the location later occupied by the latterday Barton's store. As to the tower , I have a wholly unevidenced speculation that such a feature was fashionable. Certain architects such as Holden (Piccy Line Tube stations such as Turnpike Lane's tower) and Uren (Hornsey Town Hall) were strongly influenced by contemporary north European architecture, such as Hilversum town hall. So why not likewise for Barton's architect? And if I've speculated on something long recorded as fact in some arcane achitectural journal, it would just go to show what a clever wee laddie I am :-)

Comment by Christine Yates on March 4, 2022 at 14:48: Wonderful shop, I remember Mum and Dad being shown a twin-tub washing machine that they couldn’t afford…I had wondered off bored (age 3) and ended up upstairs. I remember an assistant taking my hand and bringing me back to my hysterical parents.

I remember the place burning down…was it an insurance job?

Comment by Richard Woods on March 4, 2022 at 14:54: In my day Bartons sported the wonders of the overhead trackway to send paper invoices etc (clipped on by super bulldog clips) and also a vacuum tube (Tilson tube?) that sent rolled up cash up and change down. Later we had on of those at the Hornsey Journal for send copy down and proofs up.

My recollection is that Bartons were only in the fine white classical building.

Comment by Ken Stevens on March 4, 2022 at 15:46: The vacuum tubes were Lamsons and I think Lamson also made overhead "wireways"

Comment by Christine Yates on March 4, 2022 at 15:50: Herauds in Edmonton had the same kind of system.

Comment by Christine Killick on March 5, 2022 at 11:32: Great memories of Bartons during the 50's and 60's especially at Christmas. You either went on a train journey or flew to see Father Christmas, they made it so magical.

Comment by Richard Woods on March 5, 2022 at 11:55: Thanks Ken - the Lamson tubes!

Comment by Richard Woods on March 5, 2022 at 12:01: By the way, Bartons had a lift so it is possible the tower started out as the necessary lift head and was then extended by the architect for commercial reasons - certainly it made Bartons very noticeable!

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