Coal fires heated homes in Croydon.

Special holes in the pavement were made
to deliver the dirty fuel
down a chute straight into the cellar.

Metalwork like this covered the holes
in the pavements and paths.

This coalhole cover was made by
Hammond & Purrott in the High Street.

This extract is read by an actor.

"Gas and steam were discoveries
which had been heard of
only to be ridiculed.

Many a chuckle I have heard
over the absurdity of the idea
of lighting the town with 'smoke'".

Hammond and Purrott
were a local ironmongers firm.

When gas became popular in homes
they started to sell gas stoves
and kitchen ranges
to homes all over the area.

Croydon's first Gas and Coke Works
opened in 1827 on Butchers Row,
Surrey Street.

Both gas and coke were made from coal.
Despite initial caution,
use of gas in Croydon grew quickly.

To find out more about Hammond
and Purrott
you can visit the
Research Room
to look at:

* Street Directories such as the 1851
and 1853 directories
which mention the company
* Newspaper adverts for the company
* Road Files for Butchers Row

The Research Room is on the
lower ground floor of the Clocktower,
It is open Tuesday-Saturday
10:30am-5pm.