EPW019837 ENGLAND (1927). Stephenson Street, Willington Quay, 1927

These were the Stephenson Memorial Schools, roughly on the site where George Stephenson stayed whilst employed as an engineman on the Ballast Hill, about 1802 - 1804. His son, Robert, was born there, 1803. George died 1848, widely held to be the "Father of the Railways". A Trust was set up to build a memorial, the foundation stone of which was laid on 16 November 1858; it opened 10 February 1860. A Mechanics' Institute occupied part of the building, 1863 - 1878; there was a starting stock of 200 books and 5 newspapers. The building was handed over to the new Wallsend School Board, 16 September 1876. It was run by the Northumberland County Council 1902 - 1910, thereafter by Wallsend Council. A new school was built in Howdon Lane in 1832. This building then housed the Labour Exchange. In February 1936 Wallsend Council opened a branch library in the building. It was replaced by the branch on Churchill Street 17 January 1959.

Information from files at North Shields Library.

typing error on post of 21.7.2013 - the line should read - A new school was built on Howdon Lane in 1932.