Historical High Street

The 1800's

Historically High Street was a thriving shopping and refreshment area. In the late 18th Century it housed seven public houses; The Cross Daggers, The Crown, The Three Cranes Inn, The Swan, The Black Horse Inn, The Elephant and Castle and The Bluebell.

The Three Cranes Inn occupied a timber framed medieval building dating back to the 15th Century which still survives today.

Other shops in this era included John Fawcett, 'Grocer and Tea Dealer' and Scales and Salter's 'Boot and Shoe Warehouse' which was at the bottom right hand corner of High Street and recognisable by the building's ornate clock tower. Mason's Jewellers and Watchmaker's was located in the middle of High Street at this time.

In 1892 the impressive corner bank building at the bottom of High Street was built, notable for its polished granite columns.

The Early 1900's

In the 1920's and 30's High Street was a popular shopping area and home to some of Rotherham's most notable shops and buildings.

Mason's Jewellers had now moved to the top of High Street occupying the well known building with the projecting wall clock, which was brought from the Daily Express buildings on Fleet Street. Muntus, a local department store was next to the Mason's building. Both Mason's and Muntus occupied elaborate Victorian buildings with spires.

Langton's Shoe Shop was another well known shop on the street and at this time High Street also had its own cinema, The Picture Palace.

The 1950's, 60's and 70's

This era saw more changes on High Street with the construction of the new modern Boots the Chemist building whilst on the northern facing side Henry Gough's 'Grocers Store', The Black Horse Inn and The Picture Palace were demolished to make way for the new British Home Stores.

Changes through the eras on the High Street / Effingham Street corner

Scales and Sons with the clock tower was taken down in the late 1920's to make way for the modern art deco building built for Montague Burton and Sons.

Images on this page have been provided by the Rotherham Archives and Local Studies Service.