61 Bridge Street

History of 61 Bridge Street

Photo:

On the right is are the railings of the Round Church and the junction with Round Church Street with 10-11 Bridge Street on the corner. The railings have gone, probably removed during WWII. The spire of St Clement’s is in the background. On the left is a row of shops demolished by St John’s College in the 1930s (they are still marked on the 1925 OS map) and the entrance to St John’s Street. Nearest to camera is 61 Bridge Street (Singer Sewing Machine Company).

1861

John Durnville, 59, watch maker, b St Ives

1911

Walter Tassell, 42, agent Singer Sewing Machine Company, b St Neots

Annie, 41, b Bucks

Minnie Asbury, 14, b London

1913

Singer’s Sewing Machine Company

1929

The back of 59 – 61 Bridge Street seen from St John’s Chapel 1938 (photo J H Bullock)

W F Turner – Old Cambridge – Cambridge Chronicle 19.11.1929: This was once kept as a butcher’s shop. At the side overlooking the front garden of St John’s College was a small window, which must be the most expensive window which ever existed. The story ran that the butcher had a lease of the property from the college and thought he had a right to brick the window up. The college got an injunction against him. He fought this in the court and lost the day. Not satisfied with that he took it to a higher court and lost again. He took it to the House of Lords and again he lost, and subsequently went bankrupt.

1938

Corner of Bridge Street and St John’s Street in 1938 (Cambridgeshire Collection)

Bridge Street (no.61 in foreground) in 1936 (MoC PB129.82)