The Pier at Eastbourne, East Sussex built 1870 - card sent 1926
At 1000' long, the pier, designed by Eugenius Birch, was built as a promenade with six small kiosks along its length, and a pair of tollbooths at the entrance. At the time this card was sent there would have been a music pavilion, camera obscura, and two saloons. During the Second World War, part of the decking was removed and machine gun platforms were installed in the theatre. Various traditional theatres were built over the years, but after the last one was destroyed by fire in 1970 it was replaced by an amusement arcade.
Whenever I see a photo or postcards of places like that, I wish I were there.
ReplyDeleteand it's still there - why haven't I visited? it is now on the wish list, especially as I think the old Brighton pier has now gone.
ReplyDeleteWhat a handsome pier.
ReplyDeleteElaborate buildings, aren't they. The locals must have loved them as much as the tourists.
ReplyDeleteI have spend a fair few hours on that pier - nice to see it in its former glory.
ReplyDeleteWhat a neat place, almost wish I could fly in and see it with my own eyes.
ReplyDeleteOh my, this is just my kind of place. Very busy and lovely.
ReplyDeleteI try to imagine how they would have built that pier in 1870. They did a good job if it's still standing. It's an amazing and beautiful structure. I wonder if the large, arched part has open arches on the inside. It would be interesting to visit. Maybe I can find modern photographs online for a virtual visit.... Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteOkay, so I just googled it. I love sepia but am surprised to see old places in modern color. It's gorgeous. Nearly all the photographs have tons of blue in them and the structure itself is either white or light grey. I want to visit. It's beautiful!
That's quite a pier! Seems that sort of thing was big stuff back in the late 18-1900s along with boardwalks and the like. Fun places!
ReplyDeleteI wonder why they thought it was a good idea to build large scale amusement halls etc on piers, when they were such exposed, windy places and were vulnerable to be washed or blown away in storms which were not entirely uncommon occurrences, not to mention fires that could engulf them.
ReplyDeleteI have never seen a pier with fancy buildings like that. Must be amazing to actually see it.
ReplyDelete