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ERDINGTON ALMSHOUSES/WORKHOUSE/HIGHCROFT HOSPITAL

Astoness

Astoness

TRUE BRUMMIE MODERATOR
Staff member
edit there is another thread here about the hospital during the period 1936 - 1950

Highcroft Hall Erdington circa 1936 to 1950

Trying to find the history of what happened to Highcroft Hall and its demise or name change etc
birminghamhistory.co.uk birminghamhistory.co.uk

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hi folk cant find a thread for this at the moment...i need some help please in finding out about the old erdington almshouses/workhouse which it may have originally have been..ive been told the address is the gardens fentham road erdington and is at the back of the old highcroft hospital also been told that there used to be an old well on the site..any info..photos or old maps would be very much appreciated...

thanks

edit found it on streetview


www.google.com

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.
www.google.com www.google.com
lyn
 
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On this map published in 1915 it is called the Birmingham Union Workhouse and at the side Cottages Homes. The homes were not present on the 1880s map and it was called the Aston Union Workhouse.

C1D15B05-5AAD-4C33-9C12-7005FF6308C2.jpeg
 
Re Almshouses. This is a fairly detailed account of Josiah Mason’s Almshouses on Sutton Road/Station Road set up in 1858. The older residents started out in the gothic building, then were moved to bungalows. Hopefully it’s legible as it’s a long article.

Another article mentions when Mason built the orphanage in Bell Lane, and after the children were moved, the original orphanage in Sheep Street was converted to almshouses and used for older women and unmarried women. This was c1860.

The numbers being supported were between 26 and 31 at any time, Viv.
 

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hi pedro many thanks...well the cottage homes are still there thats nice to see.so am i right in saying that the the workhouse was first called the aston union and then changed to the birmingham union ?? and i take it the workhouse buildings no longer exist??



lyn
 
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It’s dated 1941 Lyn. It’s a record of a visit to the almshouses in 1941 but records the earlier history as the women were housed in the old orphanage before the almshouses were converted. They seem to have been only for women, and not on a large scale. I don’t know if the resident profile changed, still looking for info. But Mason didn’t want to include men as he thought they didn’t manage themselves very well in those conditions ! Viv.
 
There is a mention of a sports day for the Aston Union Cottage Homes in 1911. Taking place at the Gravelly Hill Playing Field.
 
Pedrocut said:
The older map..

View attachment 152417
Click to expand...

great pedro thanks for the older map which clearly shows that before the almshouses were built the ground was occupied by the workhouse,..could i have the date please of the older map..thanks pedro

now i need to try and find a map with a well showing on it...how true this is i dont yet know..got the info from someone else

lyn
 
With regard to Almshouses in Erdington, you might find these people helpful at the Sir Josiah Mason trust. They also cover the Holte Almshouses that were moved to Erdington from Aston (not physically of course !).

www.sjmt.org.uk

Sir Josiah Mason Trust - Almshouse Charity

Sir Josiah Mason Trust - Almshouse Charity
www.sjmt.org.uk www.sjmt.org.uk
A couple of extracts from their site and background to the Holte interest. Viv.

A80C4AAC-2D13-4B5E-998D-C281F5C3843D.jpeg
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Also in my post #3 I mentioned Sheep Street. This was the earlier name for Station Road. I can’t confirm this yet, but I think there might be an almshouse connection with the old cottages still in the road. But don’t quote me on that yet. Still trying to find out. Viv.
 
pjmburns said:
Lyn - if you streetview the cottage homes and travel down "the gardens" then you come to this - can't tell what it is but could it be the site of a well?
View attachment 152434
Click to expand...

thanks jan i travelled down earlier on on st view...in fact i remembered that about 4 years ago i did take a drive down and look at the cottages..i did wonder if that clock tower could hide the elusive well ive been told about but cant see one marked on the maps posted...may need to check older maps

lyn
 
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Pedrocut said:
Somewhere close to Highcroft I seem to remember an artesian well.
Click to expand...

i think that could be the one pedro will try to locate it on a map...also looking now for photos of the workhouse...thanks everyone

lyn
 
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There are a few threads about the Aston Union/Highcroft including this one from the Peter Walker Archives. Viv.

Birmingham Workhouse -peter Walker

Origin of the first Workhouse of 1734 During the 18th century, as towns grew and more people moved from farm work, the care of the elderly, infirm, for widows and orphans, who otherwise had no means of support, became an increasing problem for parish councils. Parliamentary Acts were passed to...
birminghamhistory.co.uk birminghamhistory.co.uk
 
Thinking back. My uncle lived in one of the prefabs in Reservoir Road, and I think you could see the artesian well from the prefab. It looked like a big tank on stilts, over the road from the Reservoir.

Maybe OldM can help us ?
 
Here are some items from"Highcroft from workhouse to modern mental health service", pub by the highcroft history Group, Ed byMike Hinson,
Some views of the hospital, including a better copy of Vivs aerial view

highcroft 1A.jpghighcroft 2A.jpghighcroft 3A.jpg
Here is an artists impression of the previous Erdington workhouse, which had faced Erdington village Green

old aston workhouse erdington A.jpg

A guide plan from1939 of Erdington /house, which was what it was named 1912-1942 (I have joined two pages and twisted map so it is north-south as previous maps)

Erdington house guide plan 1939.jpg


~And finally, in case i is of interest, a listing of the wards and their use in 1914

highcroft wards 1914..jpg
 
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On Photo 4 I think the artesian well can be seen on the extreme middle right ??
 

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Have just realised that I stated that I had turned map so it was North south, and it was not actually north south. Have now corrected that
 
Pedrocut said:
On Photo 4 I think the artesian well can be seen on the extreme middle right ??
Click to expand...
The caption refers to "the giant water tower" - apparently a feature of many workhouses and hospitals built at that time. I am not sure it means it had to be a well.
 
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