A Brief History of Bohemia – part 4 – Police, Fire Station & Factories

Posted by admin on 26/1/10 • Categorised as History, No. 58 Apr 2008

Looking South down Bohemia Rd. The police station is at the corner of Salisbury Rd. Photo approx 1910. Loaned by Ken Brooks.

By Edward Preston (Apr 2008)

Number 103, Bohemia Road (then no. 95) was built in 1885/6, to house the St Paul’s Working Men’s Club – a great asset in the area, providing not only a place of assembly, but also opportunities for self-improvement. However, in 1893/4 the building was converted into the Police and Fire stations for the area. At that time, the separate villages which today comprise the borough (Hastings & St Leonards) had their own public services.

An interesting development in 1884 was the building of an impressive edifice opposite the church in Park Road. It was the manufactory of Hemmings’ St Leonards Mineral Waters, which had previously operated from Alfred Street. In 1886, another factory arrived in the district. It was in Middle Street, which changed its name to Spring Street in 1903. It was the St Leonards Steam Sausage factory, and remained there until 1908.

Edward Preston

Hemmings St Leonards Mineral Waters in Upper Park Road – the right hand part of which is now used by Tile Design.