"Bangor has a proud history which can be traced back to 525 AD when Deiniol, a Celtic missionary, established a monastic community on the site of the present cathedral. For centuries it remained a small town of two streets, with the cathedral as its focal point, and few positive signs of expansion.
When Browne Willis visited the town in 1721 he reported that it was "well accommodated with inns" but had only 70 houses, with one in Upper Bangor and two in Garth, which suggested a population of about 400.
But two factors were to change all this and transform a sleepy market town into an important industrial and commercial centre. Improvements in the road network and the development of slate quarrying in nearby Bethesda.
The post road from London to Holyhead lay through Chester, Denbigh and Conwy, skirting the shore beyond Penmaenmawr and across the Lafan Sands to a point opposite Beaumaris, where the final passage over the Menai Strait was made by ferry, and from thence to Holyhead.
But in 1718, because of the dangers of the tidal sands, this route was abandoned by the postal authorities in favour of Bangor and the Porthaethwy Ferry. As a result Bangor was now situated on the main route between London and Dublin.
The enterprise of Richard Pennant, the first Baron Penrhyn, in opening up the slate quarries of Bethesda, accelerated the growth and development of Bangor during the first quarter of the nineteenth century. He built a quay at Port Penrhyn for the shipment of slate to distant markets, with a railway link to the quarries.
In the years that followed subsidiary industries such as writingslate manufacturing, a sawmill and a foundry were established along the waterfront, all of which brought employment for hundreds of local men. Shipbuilding also became an important industry, and over 50 vessels were built in Hirael and Garth during the nineteenth century.
Other stimuli to the growth of Bangor were the improvements of Thomas Telford on both the coastal road and the Capel Curig road, and the opening of his suspension bridge across the Menai Strait in 1826, all of which improved communication between London and Holyhead.
The inauguration of a steam packet service between Liverpool and Bangor in 1822 also brought visitors by sea and helped to develop the town as an important tourist centre, with good accommodation available at the Penrhyn Arms, the George Hotel, the Castle Inn, the Albion and the Liverpool Arms.
The population of Bangor in 1801 was 1,770 but by 1841 it had more than quadrupled to almost 7,500, and over 1,200 working class houses were built. The arrival of the railway in 1848 brought further prosperity. New hotels were built for the accommodation of passengers, including the British, the Railway and the Belle Vue.
The second half of the nineteenth century saw Bangor firmly established as the most important town in north Wales. New shops and three banks were opened in the High Street and the C & A Infirmary became the main hospital for Caernarfonshire and Anglesey. An isolation hospital was built at Minffordd (1895) and the Glanadda workhouse was the centre for the Bangor and Beaumaris Poor Law Union.
The railway station became an important junction after branch lines were opened to Caernarfon (1852), Amlwch (1867) and Bethesda (1884), while the engineering department was responsible for the maintenance of the entire length of track between Holyhead and Chester, with a staff of nearly 300.
Bangor also became the centre of higher education for north Wales with the establishment of the Normal College in 1862, the University College in 1884 and St Mary's College in 1893. Furthermore, the city was granted its civic charter in 1883 and an elected council replaced the old Local Board of Health.
In the field of sport the city's football and cricket teams were among the strongest in north Wales, open air baths were constructed in Siliwen, a skating rink opened in Dean Street, and a cycling club opened for enthusiasts. Visitors were catered for as well. The pier was opened in 1896 and thousands of holidaymakers landed there each summer from the Liverpool pleasure steamers.
The scene was now set for the mass of social, economic and technological changes of the twentieth century."
Matt Tapping submitted these two pictures of Siliwen House, Bangor, following the query posted below by Patrick O'Brien, Caernarfon.
your comments
Elfed Jones, Anglesey
Does anybody remember a street or area in Bangor called Park Hill? I have a family snuff box with the name Fox Park Hill Bangor circa 1909.
Wed Aug 5 10:33:35 2009
Patricia Duffy (nee Owen)
Reply to McDerwen: Dickens did stay at the Harp Inn many times when passing through Bangor. The Harp Inn was my home until I married in 1955.The room that Charles Dickens stayed in, with its little window over looking the yard, became my bedroom. I slept in the four poster bed Charles Dickens would have occupied at that tme, until I was nine or 10 years old.There were two Dickens busts and some beautiful leather-bound books. I spent many hours reading all those wonderful stories. I hadn't realised how privileged I was then!I recently visited the Dickens Museum in London, at Doughty Street, where he once lived with his family. Well worth a visit.When my father Robert Owen sold the business some years later he returned all the items mentioned to Ind Coop & Allsopps Brewery.
Mon Jul 20 11:21:22 2009
Marinda, Bangor
Whilst all these reminisences of Bangor are thought-provoking for a bygone age, are any of these people willing to support the development of Bangor and the Hirael Bay area? Bangor is in a very sad place at the moment and needs all the support people can give. It is just a matter of time before Bangor disappears under new developments not suited to Bangor and its residents and even more student accommodation. What about homes for locals? Yes, we want to progress and make Bangor a city residents and visitors can be proud of and enjoy, but it all needs careful planning, not just keep throwing things up in the air and keep building flats for students. Bangor is turning into one huge campus. The new parking on the High Street is a nightmare. I have witnessed large wagons mounting the pavements, almost scraping the shop windows to get by vans and delivery lorries in the new parking areas. God help anyone walking out of a shop into one of these wagons. This will also, in time, destroy all the new footpaths and kerbstones recently laid. If you want to help Bangor return to its former glory and move on to bigger and better things, don't just dwell on the past, have input in the future. Read about the plans for the development of Hirael Bay, join support groups, voice your opinion. Don't let Bangor fade away.
Tue May 5 10:26:35 2009
Lou Kennedy
Does 5 Back Edmund Street, Bangor, still exist? It was the home of my wife's family in 1900-1910.
Mon Mar 23 09:58:47 2009
Ramiro Jauregui from Bolivia
I would like to know more of the celtic missionary Deiniol. Is he related to Columcille and Columbanus?Many thanks
Tue Feb 17 09:25:12 2009
carl pritchard bangor
Does anyone know where Brick or Rock Street were in Bangor please?
Thu Feb 12 09:23:16 2009
arfon griffiths from bangor
in reply to 'where was club street', club st was in hirael,it ran from ambrose st to orme road,at the ambrose st end the mostyn pub,still there, club st demolished now flats for the elderly.
Mon Feb 2 09:52:54 2009
mervyn jones(miron) bangor
in answer about davy cale - yes i remember him very well. i lived around the corner in strand st. it was a magical place to visit and the smell stayed with me forever. heavy canvas and all kinds of ropes. i also bought my first house off mr cale at robert st in hirael. a marvellous character and will always be a big part of hirael.
Mon Dec 22 09:54:56 2008
Yvonne Williams, Crewe.
For Michelle Horrocks. I was born & brought up in Bangor & my first boyfriend's father, Mr Lord, managed the British Hotel for some years around 1946 right into the late 50s. It was privately owned I recall. Mr Lord's son [now 80] lives in Bedfordshire & he knows a great deal about the history of the hotel.
Mon Dec 8 09:40:50 2008
norah malik Birmingham
Can anyone tell me where Club Street was located in Bangor.
Mon Nov 3 10:52:02 2008
Kwesi Hughes, London
For Simon Smith. Thank you very much indeed. I will be in touch as soon as possible. The name 'Mrs Evans' does ring a bell, although my (possibly mis-firing) synapses are insisting on 'Miss' Evans. I already had some of the other details which you give within my recall (:)), and it's amusing to feel an incipient blush beginning to take over my face... and the little chuckle that the misconception that darker people don't blush (we do, but it's just not so easily-visible) gives to me, prompts one final anecdote about Mr. Ellis Jones of blessed memory.
One day at assembly, Mr. Jones asked a group of us to divide between those with Welsh surnames and those with English surnames, to play some game which I don't recall. I hesitated on two counts - I'd always 'hung out' with Malcolm Love, as we were both Londoners, and, well, I knew that I was black. I whispered to Malcolm "Where shall I go?'" and he said "Come with me," but Mr. Ellis said "No - Kwesi; go over there with the others with Welsh names!." There's no other way to say this - I marvelled, really, and it was quite a Eureka moment for a child like me, in terms of recognising the fluidity and criss-crossing of identities which can subvert that which is apparently 'obvious' to all. I could no more forget Mr. Ellis Jones than I could stop breathing. Thanks, BBC, for the opportunity to reminisce and to reflect like this.
Mon Sep 8 09:57:21 2008
Simon Smith, North Wales
For Kwesi Hughes: I well remember your family and particularly you and your brother Kobina at Vaynol. I was also heavily influenced by Ellis Jones and your memory accords with mine of this exceptional man. The elegant teacher you are referring to is probably Mrs Evans (who remarried during my time at Vaynol and became Mrs George)and the Kathleen is almost certainly Kathleen Holton who is now a teacher at a school on Anglesey. If you contact me via North Wales Fire Service HQ I will send you a copy of a Vaynol class photograph (unfortunately you're not on it though)
Fri Aug 15 09:24:52 2008
Naomi Rogers, ACT
To Linda - I attended Hirael School for 6mths in 1977 whilst my father was on sabbatical at Bangor Uni. We came from Australia. I remember the ornothologist club, and Miss Parry my teacher shouting at me in Welsh when I had never heard welsh before. I was only 6, but would love to go back and see if what I remember is at all accurate.
Mon Aug 4 09:30:05 2008
ian gadd formerly llandudno presently aberystwyth
I wonder if anyone recalls davy cale the last sailmaker, certainly in north wales. My sister and I stayed often with uncle davy and aunty blodwen when we were kids. also, does anyone remember lizzie twr who lived in one of the towers of penrhyn castle?
Wed Jul 30 09:17:56 2008
Chris Bailey, Middlesbrough
My great, great, grandfather Thomas Bailey lived in the town between 1839 and 1849 with his family. Thomas, of Irish descent, was a hairdresser and had come down from Liverpool with his wife Anne, who was born in that city. They had 6 children , four of whom were born in Bangor. This site has explained much about the boom years and possibly why Thomas decided to ply his trade there. I must try to visit the town one day.
Thu Jul 24 09:44:55 2008
Gayner Haynes, London
Message to Nikola Lewis, Bangor. Thanks for the information about my great Aunt at Central School. I did not even know she had a bike as I thought she actually drove a car. Does your Mother remeber anything else about her or about her friendship with your great Aunty Kitty?
Mon Jul 14 10:16:34 2008
John Griffith from Mold
I well remember all of these Ken. I bought my first car from that very garage! It later became a branch of Kwik Save, at which my mother used to shop. The County Record Shop had been in Dean Street, a few doors down from Pentir-Williams, the radio and TV shop. The shop in the High Street it later occupied had been a gents' outfitters - Muir's.
Tue Jun 24 09:12:02 2008
Ken Owen
Does anyone remmember Jack French barbers at the bottom of the High Street and the Vauxhall garage opp, where the Jobcentre is now. It used to be a hardware store. A bit higher up was the County record shop, next door to the old Strand cafe on the corner of Dean Street opp Perfecta cleaners.
Mon Jun 23 10:02:26 2008
Graham Vine, Bordon, Hampshire
During the Second World War, Bangor, too, had its Moorside equivalent. It was that large estate perched above the City upon a rocky promontory off Ffriddoedd Road and always referred to - locally - as Abyssinia. It was widely held that the inhabitants were all heathen and give to such uncivilised habits as not knowing what baths were for and using them to store coal instead so, although the term "Sink Estate" had not been invented yet, that was how the unfortunate resident sof Abyssinia were regarded by their fellow citizens ! By contrast, the vast Maesgeirchen council estate, I recall%2! C always enjoyed rather higher regard and enjoyed some fame due to Tommy Handley always calling it Mice Gherkin in his ITMA broadcasts.
Fri Apr 25 10:32:22 2008
McDerwen,Bangor
It is said that Charles Dickens stayed in the harp inn in Bangor,during his time as a reporter.
Mon Apr 21 11:01:32 2008
Dave ex Bangorian
In reply to John , when I was a lad, the Debenhams site was a large shop called WARTSKIS ......far too pricey for my parents, so, unfortunately I never got to go in !
Mon Mar 3 13:16:45 2008
john bangor
Could anybody tell me what the Debenham shop in the High St was originally. Thanks!
Mon Feb 25 09:37:18 2008
Nikola Lewis, Bangor
Message for Gaynor Haynes, my mother remembers your Great Aunt who taught her at Central School between 1948 and 1952(known then as Deiniol Secondary Modern School). My mother remembers that she always wore a dark coloured beret and rode a 'sit up and beg' bicycle to school. She lived on Garth Road opposite the swimming pool. She was also great friends with my great Aunt Kitty Doherty and continued to write to her when she emigrated to Canada.
Fri Feb 8 11:14:29 2008
Gayner Haynes London
Does anyone remember or know anything about Miss Kathleen Burns who taught at the Central School during the period of World War 2? She was my great aunt. She had two sisters who were also teachers in Bangor. Sadly, there is no longer anyone who can tell me about these members of my family.
Tue Jan 22 14:05:14 2008
Michelle Horrocks from Manchester
Does anybody know when I can get information on the British Hotel, Bangor? I have traced back my family tree and my gran's gran worked there as staff for some royal, trying to trace down who the royal was at this time, it would have been around 1891, any help would be greatly appreciated.
Mon Jan 21 09:30:38 2008
Shirley Crowther Wilkinson
I am looking for information & pictures of the Glanadda Inn. I have just found out my G.G.Grandfather was the Inn keeper.
Tue Jan 8 09:09:21 2008
Sidney Whitaker, Bangor
For Carl of Llangaffo: (just spotted your enquiry about Telford. I understand he stayed at the George Hotel, now developed into the "George Site" of Bangor University. It is on the Menai Strait shore, opposite Menai Bridge. From the Strait you may still see traces of the name painted on the wall. The chair he workd from is in the Museum.
Mon Oct 22 10:14:47 2007
C Evans M/B
Re: Kwesi Hughes, Dec 12 2006. Ellis Jones was the Headmaster at Vaynol Primary and there was definitely a twinkle in his eyes. He was my grandfather and the loveliest man. I was very lucky to have gone to Vaynol whilst he was still there, along with my brother, sister and cousins.
Tue Aug 28 09:02:59 2007
Eluned Nauman (nee Jones) San Bernardino, CA, USA
The George Hotel is along the Menai Straits and can be accessed from Holyhead Road. It is now used by the college for students. My grandfather was the inn-keeper and my mom was born in the little house at the top of the road going down to the former George Hotel. Many members of the Royal Family used to stay there in the early 1900s. I did have a photo of the George Hotel but not sure where it is now. If you go to the pier in Menai Bridge you can look directly across the Menai Straits and see the George Hotel.
Thu May 24 09:24:47 2007
carl from llangaffo
I was recently following up the history of the old rail network and read a chapter about Thomas Telford staying at the George Hotel. Can anyone tell me which building this is?
Wed May 23 09:34:02 2007
John Roberts - France
For John Cowell - I'm presuming you're ex-UCNW & kept goal for the 1st ll during the time of Woosnam, Glyn Owen, Nev Pope & Nice Griffiths - if so could you tell me whatever happened to the Combined Normal/UCNW side Peritus - I still have the tie somewhere!I took over writing the Varsity Sports columns from you in 1953/4 for The Chronicle, NW Weekly News and the Daily Post. I also kept goal after you left, whenever Williams was away playing for Wrexham, Man City or elsewhere.
Tue May 8 09:59:08 2007
Gwyneth Brindley - Bangor
For B. Littlewood, Mossley, Lancashire. The Ship & Castle Inn was situated at 127 High Street and the building is now home to a quality clothes shop (Jo Potts). A friend of mine tells me that the surname Parry is on his mother's side of the family and that his g-g-grandmother was the licensee of the pub at one time.
Mon Feb 26 09:53:22 2007
Muhammad Azree from Malaysia
My father studied for his Phd in Bangor and we spent 4 years there from 1991-1994 which was pretty much my childhood. I attended Cae Top School and still remember Mr. McBride. I also studied at Friars Secondary School in Bangor. All in all, it was a wonderful small city with panoramic views. Hope to keep in touch with friends there if they still remember me.
Mon Jan 29 10:43:50 2007
Anne Roberts nee Williams
Re John Glyn: John mentioned Garth School and Mr Williams telling the class stories about pet snails. John goes on to say that Mr Williams should have published them. Well Mr Williams was Mr Ifor Wyn Williams, he was an author as well as a teacher. He later became a headmaster he won the Prose Medal in the National Eisteddfod in Bangor in 1971 with his historic novel about Gruffith ap Cynan called "Gwres or Gorllewin." I was his partner and sole mate and during our time together he wrote his last novel while dying of cancer, this was in parts an autobiography of his early childhood, and he tells stories about the two boys and the snails that John Glyn refers to in this book. The book is in the Welsh language and called "Lon Gweunydd." Ironically he never saw the novel in print, it was published 3 years after his death by myself. I had promised him it would be published and it has sold well. I was thrilled to read John Glyn's comments about the school and the stories about the snails.
Tue Jan 2 09:48:41 2007
Shirley Wilkinson
I grew up on caernarvon road, we lived at 338 opposite the milk factory and then moved just behind to Bryn llwyd outside ferranti's, i can remember when it was Damlers, you would hear the hooter and hundreds of people would rush out with buses waiting to take them to various places, of course everyone has cars now. I remember the old laundry and the river adda behind where we would go tadpoling. How Caernarvon rd has changed, I believe a long time ago there was 3 pubs in glanadda, one was called the farmers arms.
Wed Dec 20 11:10:01 2006
Local historian and author John Cowell describes how Bangor grew from a tiny, two-street hamlet to the bustling city we know today.
