Centurian landmark stands test of time
Author: John W Brown
For over a century the clock tower standing at the junction of Brigstock Road, Thornton Heath High Street and Parchmore Road has advised passers by of the time.
The clock tower was built in 1900 to commemorate the new century and cost £300, half of which was donated by members of the public.
The site on which it stands was formerly known as Walker's Green and was suggested as a location by Councillor Addison, who wrote to Croydon Corporation with his proposal.
Local historian John W Brown traces the history of Thornton Heath Clock Tower on October 10, 1899.
Within two weeks of receiving Addison's letter, plans for the tower had been drawn up by the deputy borough engineer and were approved by the Corporation which also agreed to meet half the cost of the project.
The stately stone structure soon established itself as a well known local landmark and became a focal point for the Thornton Heath community.
A magnificent photograph of the clock tower, festooned with coloured lights and illuminated to commemorate the Coronation of King George VI in 1937, appears in Raymond Wheeler's book Images of Norbury, Thornton Heath and Broad Green, published by Tempus.
During the Second World War the tower stood defiantly in an area which suffered badly from enemy bombing. One high explosive bomb fell close by, destroying the tram lines in Thornton Heath High Street, but fortunately the clock tower escaped serious damage.
By the mid-1980s the clock tower was beginning to show its age. It was frequently covered in graffiti and the surrounding area was often strewn with litter and plagued by flocks of pigeons scavenging among the rubbish dumped here.
In April 1987, work began on an £8,000 facelift for the tower, which included the laying of new paving; the planting of flower beds; the installation of railings and the filling in of old underground toilets that stood adjacent to the back of the clock tower in Parchmore Road.
After almost 90 years the clock tower still had some mysteries to reveal. During excavations for a flower bed the workmen stumbled across a large, secret, underground chamber directly below an area to the rear of the tower in Parchmore Road. This vast cavernous opening measured 22ft by 13ft and was 11 feet deep.
Mystery surrounded the origins of the chamber, with one pensioner advising the workmen that there was an old Second World War Air Raid Shelter in the vicinity where several people had drowned when it had flooded. However, after detailed investigations, it was discovered to be part of the old Croydon it had flooded. However, after detailed investigations, it was discovered to be part of the old Croydon Tramway Service and used to house tram switchgear.
Thornton Heath Clocktower in 1937 illuminated for the coronation of King George VI.
Pictures taken from Images of Norbury, Thornton Heath and Broad Green.
Work on the site was temporarily delayed while live electricity cables that ran through the chamber were made safe before flowers and shrubs were planted above the site.
Images of Norbury, Thornton Heath and Broad Green costs £10.98, including postage and packing, and is available from Local History Publications, 316 Green Lane, Streatham, London, SW16 3AS.