A fascinating view of South Street and of Bourne taken by the local photographer Ashby Swift from the tower of the Abbey Church, looking towards the north west, circa 1920. The Mason's Arms can clearly be seen in South Street and Woodview Terrace in the distance on the right.

An early view of South Street (above) circa 1880, probably taken by Richard F Bertolle, a photographer, of Eastgate, who was operating in the town at that time although little of his work survives. Wherry's warehouse can be seen in its original state on the left with Baldock's Mill at the end of the road on the right while below is another picture of Wherry's warehouse with waiting horse and cart from circa 1890.

The two photographs above of the Bourne Eau and South Street above can be dated circa 1895 through the sign over the door of the Red Lion public house which gives the name of the licensee as Henry Knipe who, according to the street directories, was landlord between and 1892 and 1900. The use of spectators as subjects for the photograph suggest that this was taken by William Redshaw.

Another photograph of South Street from around 1900 and showing the view towards the Market Place with the Angel Hotel clearly visible.

South Street with Church Walk ahead are featured in this picture postcard from 1910. This was before the days of colour printing and therefore the above card was hand-tinted and the result can be seen below. The gas street lamp in the foreground was one of 56 in Bourne at the time and on the right can be seen the almshouses and Cavalry House, fronted by iron railings.

Two more views of South Street, this time taken circa 1905, also by William Redshaw.

This picture of the Red Lion and surrounding properties dates from circa 1900.

The notorious double bend at Brook Lodge photographed by Ashby Swift
circa 1910 showing the gatehouse of the Red Hall on the right
with its turrets intact.

The shop above was known as the Penny and 6d. Halls Bazaar and was decorated to mark the coronation of King George V on 30th June 1911, a day for celebration throughout the town when the streets were a blaze of colour from end to end with flags and  red, white and blue bunting and streamers.

Two more views of South Street from circa 1915.

A sunny summer's day around 1920 with a lady cyclist approaching the camera and a variety of horse drawn traffic can be seen in the street towards the market place.

The photograph of the Red Lion above was taken circa 1930 by Ashby Swift, the Bourne photographer whose studio was across the road, although now demolished. There was a terrace of red brick cottages behind the public house but these have now been incorporated into the inn premises. The rarity of the motor car is reflected in the sign on the wall advertising "good stabling and accommodation for cyclists". Next door, on the left, is the early 19th century property, No 12 South Street, known as Stone House and a Grade II listed building. It was then occupied by Mr John Henry Berry, a stationer and newsagent, and the notice on the chimney says: "Daily and weekly newspapers supplied and promptly delivered." The shop is now used for the sale of antiques and military memorabilia and the large chimney stack has been dismantled.

THE SOUTH STREET LEVEL CROSSING

The picture above was taken circa 1950 showing the almshouses and Cavalry House and beyond that, the level crossing and signal box where the railway line crossed the main road and entered the station at the Red Hall. Mrs Alice Gray's cottage can be seen on the right and again in the two pictures below, showing how near it was to the roadside and the traffic hazard it created as vehicle flows began to increase.
See also Lost cottages

The farmhouse mud and stud cottage occupied by Mr and Mrs David Gray until demolished in January 1977. This picture was taken by Rod Hoyle in June 1975.
See also Lost cottages

There has been a barber's shop at No 6 South Street since the mid-19th century and early owners included William Kingston (1856) and W R Leary (1900). Later owners have included John James William Nichols who was in business there until at least 1913 and the matchbox holder pictured above was either sold or given away as a gift by him in 1902 to celebrate Lord Kitchener's career and recent victory in the Boer War and is now on display at the Heritage Centre in South Street. When Nichols retired, the shop was bought by Arthur Charles Barnatt, pictured below with his wife at the entrance about 1930. The premises are still used for the same business but it is now run as Neal's Hairdressers.

The picture above shows South Street circa 1920 from the north with photographer Ashby Swift's studio on the right before it was demolished by a falling tree.

South Street in 1932 with the roadside petrol pumps at Tuck's Station Garage
ready for business.

A postcard view from 1950.

A postcard view of South Street from circa 1960 showing the old almshouses
and Cavalry House.

This is South Street (above) pictured in 1970. Wherry's warehouse in the centre remains today but converted into retirement flats while the adjoining red brick premises on the left were demolished around 1980 and the site is to become part of the new development.

The Bourne Eau in South Street with Baldock's Mill at the far end from
a picture postcard circa 1975. The photograph below is also taken from a picture postcard sold in the town in 1985.