In the late nineteenth century, Inner Avenue was where many of Southampton's movers and shakers had their homes. Stockwell Lodge, situated on the junction of Middle street and the Avenue, was for many years the residence of Sir James Lemon. As borough surveyor he was responsible for installing miles of sewage pipes as well as a new water main. Unfortunately Stockwell Lodge has long gone and has been replaced by an office building. A group of trees at the back of the building are believed to have been planted by Sir James, or more likely by one of his minions.
James Lemon was mayor of the town, and member of parliament. He has a fine tomb in Southampton Old Cemetery and his two volume "Reminiscences of Public Life in Southampton" is a cracking read.
As well as the Ransom fountain there are two other stone monuments on the Green leading up to Lodge road; so it is worth braving the traffic to cross into the middle to have a look at them. The first one is the milestone with its cryptic message on the reverse side.
The second is the highly ornate grade II listed Haysom Birthday Monument
,John Daniel Haysom was part of the Garret and Haysom memorial, tomb and gravestone works. This firm was responsible for many beautiful statues in Southampton Old Cemetery as well as other stonework and memorials that are still dotted around the city. JD Haysom presented his monument to the town of Southampton on the occasion of his sixtieth birthday, October 7th 1909. His name is not recorded, he is simply referred to as a native and lifelong resident of the town.
Crossing back to the left hand side of the Avenue we are now in an area that was originally made up of large country house estates, although in 1662 Captain George Embree bought a plot of land right next to the Banister Estate and it became the Society of Friends Burial Ground.
Crossing back to the left hand side of the Avenue we are now in an area that was originally made up of large country house estates, although in 1662 Captain George Embree bought a plot of land right next to the Banister Estate and it became the Society of Friends Burial Ground.
This haven of peace is hardly noticeable from the road, and is only open to the public on Heritage days. The very simple foot stones are all of a similar size as Quakers subscribe to the beliefs of equality and simplicity. When the family of Edward Pyott put up a brick vault, it was taken down and the stone laid flat. It is still somewhere in the burial ground.
The various owners of Banister's Court or Banister's Lodge are commemorated by a number of road names in this area - Charles Knott Gardens, Hulse Road, Westrow Gardens. The only physical evidence left however is this rather dilapidated pillar:
We are now approaching the very busy junction of the Avenue, Lodge road and Banister road. In the 1930s it looked a little different:
The building can clearly be seen as Morris House, which was the site of Wadham brothers, car sales and service depot. It was a large and thriving business. All that had to be put aside during World War Two, when it became a Shadow Factory - and Wadham's contribution was marked by the following plaque:
The site on the corner of the Avenue and Banister road has changed hands many times and has been rebuilt, but up to this year it has always been a car sales showroom and the plaque has remained in position. The car sales have now moved out to make way for LIDL, and the building is boarded up, so I'm not sure where the plaque is.
Now we've managed to cross the road we will move briskly on to Cavendish Grove for part three, but let's have a look back down Inner Avenue and imagine what it looked like at the beginning of the twentieth century.
Now we've managed to cross the road we will move briskly on to Cavendish Grove for part three, but let's have a look back down Inner Avenue and imagine what it looked like at the beginning of the twentieth century.