Showell Green Lane

[Vivienne14]

BillDargue has described the Lane as:

Showell Green Lane B11
Derives from Anglo-Saxon se' weles =seven wells or springs; Showell Green House was a large Georgian country residence north of Philip Sidney Road used as the Women’s Hospital annexe until c1970. The lane was improved during the final enclosures of Yardley manor c1840.

Any ideas as to what the building is to the right in the first image ? Stables ? Farm ? Viv.


c1912


c1903

 

[Vivienne14]

A few more

c1913


c1926

 

[Pedrocut]

Not good resolution, but the revised maps from 1903 and 1938..

 

[pjmburns]

A few more

c1913
View attachment 152036

c1926

I think this is the same junction today. (Screen shot 2008 so the hedge was low enough to see the house but still there),

 

[Vivienne14]

Thanks Janice. The Lane looks to have been widened to the left too. Viv.

 

[pjmburns]

I think this is the house in the second picture in post #2. Another Google street view.
The two photos seem to show the to ends of Showell Green Lane. This one is where Showell Green Lane joins Stratford Road and is now one way at that end so you can't turn in from Stratford Road. The shops on the left have also gone.

 

[pjmburns]

I have a feeling some of the houses in the earlier photos are still there but as almost all have the garden walls removed to allow parking and trees have grown it is hard to tell.
It is certainly not a "lane" today.

 

[Vivienne14]

Thanks Janice, really helpful to get some bearings on these photos as I don’t know the area at all. Good to see some of the older buildings are still standing. Maybe some disappeared due to road widening.

Re Pedro’s maps in post #3, are the buildings to the right in the first photo post#1 marked on the map ? I can’t seem to work it out.

Viv.

 

[pjmburns]

Showell Green Lane is within walking distance although I don't know it very well.
I am not sure - it is difficult to get bearings on that photo - however the 1884 map shows Showell Green House and several other large properties on the right going down towards Stratford Road. Those building could be part of Showell Green House
The red dot is where the junction I posted on #4 is. As you see there are a number of possibilities for your photo.

 

[Vivienne14]

Thanks Janice. I think your suggestion of Showell Green House is a good possibility. The buildings have the look of stables to me with the little bell tower and with the backs of the buildings onto the Lane - hence possibly some sort of enclosed area on the other side of the buildings. But could be wrong. Viv.

 

[mikejee]

Another view of Showell Green Lane, probably 1920s or 30s

 

[Vivienne14]

This view is near Bridge Close, the buildings on the right have gone. The houses replacing the buildings seem to be c1960/70 perhaps. You can just still make out the ornate decoration on the house on the left (next to the van in the B&W image).The brickwork bank around the trees has gone - it seems to have once taken up the majority of the pavement.

 

[superdad3]

Showell Green Lane is within walking distance although I don't know it very well.
I am not sure - it is difficult to get bearings on that photo - however the 1884 map shows Showell Green House and several other large properties on the right going down towards Stratford Road. Those building could be part of Showell Green House
The red dot is where the junction I posted on #4 is. As you see there are a number of possibilities for your photo.
View attachment 152043

The original Showell Green House was the home of William Russell and his family. He was a highly successful business man and very influential in the life of Birmingham. He had offices at the house as well as stables and I think you are right to suggest these buildings may well be them

The original house was destroyed in the Priestley riots but rebuilt. The John Taylor Memorial Home , which was founded in Park Road, Sparkhill in 1910 moved to Showell Green House where it expanded.


Later moved to Erdington where it still flourishes in comnjunction with St Marys Hospice. Renamed John Taylor Hospice.

Showell Green Lane was also the site of the Womens Hospita; [info on forum] a beautiful building which was demolished to make way for the Zinnia Clinic - an ugly modern building. Road has a very interesting history.