Ashby Road residents in 1878

3 September 2021

Who lived on Ashby Road in 1878? Does your surname appear?

 1 & 2 Sutton, Mrs. Confectioner
  3 Fisher, J
  4 Bassford,  A
  5 Clarke, H
     Bennett, H., The Hill
  6 Bassford, G
  7 Hitchcock, T
  8 Andrews, I
  9 Bent, G
10 Swann, J
11 Hull, E
12 Astill, W
13 Chester, Mrs
14 Barrat, J., Glazier
15 Gibbins, –
16 Pratt. F
17 Martin, Mrs
18 Lockwood, Miss
19 Exon, T
20 Holmes. C
21 Kahler, J
22 Onion, J
23 Wright, Mrs.,
     Old English Gentleman
24 Wright, W
25 Quail, E., Greengrocer
26 Fox, E
27 Clarke, S
28
29 Morley, W
30 Harvey, R
31 Gamble, E
32 Brewin, B
33 Clarke, H
34 Gamble, W
35 Pass, T
36 Higgins,  W
37 Polkey, Mrs
38 Kelly, J
39 Cooper, J
40 Price, –
41
42 Fletcher, R
43 Monk, C
44 Bradley, –
45 Gee, Miss
    Egan, Rev. A.,
    Catholic Chapel
    Jones, J. S., Bower Cottage
46 Simpkin, T
47 Mason, Mrs
48 Hickling, G
49 Lockton, F
50 Kirk, Mrs
51 Gale, J., Generous Briton
52 Woodward, S
53 Watts, T
54 Ellis, J., Bootmaker
55 Pickard, J
56 Handley, J
57 Lockwood, J
58 Read, Mrs
59 Hawksworth,
60 Co-operative Stores
61 Gutteridge, J
62 Warren, T
63 Biddles, T
64 Broadhead, J
65 Barker, T
66 Barker, E. L., Builder
67 Start, Mrs
     Hickling’s Charity School
Fire Engine House
     Town Offices

During Victorian times, the area around Ashby Road was a select area where lots of the more well-to-do people lived, which is one reason why many of the houses along it are quite large and fancy.

Like a lot of similar towns, Loughborough grew rapidly during the Victorian era and the population grew from about 4,500 in 1800 to 21,500 in 1900. However, towards the latter end of the Victorian era when industrialisation had really set in, homes were needed for more ordinary folk and these grew up around Ashby Road – Oxford Street, Leopold Street, Paget Street, Station Street – producing almost a grid-like pattern.

Take a tour of modern-day Ashby Road with author and tour guide Lynne Dyer here.

Article submitted by Loughborough Library Local Studies Volunteers