The Forgotten Corner

[Micox]

After scouring the usual histories and the more esoteric search engines I've drawn a total blank on historical information about that corner of Llandudno in West Shore which is now Bryniau Road, Maesdu, Bridge Road, Alex Road, Joe Parr's farm etc. The excellent history by Christopher Draper lays out the farmsteads, inns and ty unnos and even the inhabitants of those but goes nowhere near the 'forgotten corner.' So what was there then and when did the development of the roads and houses around the level crossing preceding maesdu bridge begin. What and when? For instance, when was Alex Road built and who built those houses?

Is there any information out there amongst you skilled historians? 

[Cambrian]

I was told that Alex Road was built by one of the companies like the one which built Jubilee Street.  Llandudno Workingmens' Dwellings or some similar name.  Possibly Alexandra comes from Edward VII's queen which would date them as the first decade of the 20th century.

[Bri Roberts]

So what was there then and when did the development of the roads and houses around the level crossing preceding maesdu bridge begin. What and when? 

According to the 1881 and 1891 censuses, my great great grandparents were living with their children in the stone cottage alongside the level crossing and had the wonderful job of opening and closing the crossing gates.

The stone cottage is actually still there today.

This resulted in a nickname of ‘crossing’ being given to several of my ancestors from the 1870’s until the last one died around 10 years ago.

[Hugo]

The earliest looking properties in that area would appear to be the terraces of Cottages,  Clare Villas etc that are  in a section of unmade road near the N Wales Golf Club.   I don't know why or when they were build there but I seem to remember that Joe Parr lived in one of the Cottages there.
I can remember him appearing from nowhere when we were looking in his barn and telling us to clear off in no uncertain terms!

[suepp]

They are known as Parrs Cottages and each terrace was named  after his children. I think the original farm is where the west Shore Club is now. Joe Parr is listed as living at a propert called "The Royal" in 1929. The area roughly where Fairways is now but nearer the shore was called Ffridd Gerrig. When Fairways was being built, we used to play in the small sand dunes behind the building site and would find lots of pieces of pottery and glass bottles, suggesting that dwellings were once in place

[Micox]

Hi Suepp.

Yes, before Fairways was built, there was an unmade single track road opposite and running in line with Alex Rd.. To the right of this there was a rough, fenced field where fowl ran. At the back of this were four lines of terraced cottages. Our route to the Sandhills was through the cottages and over the fence onto the North Wales golf course. Being chased was a routine event.

Thanks for the contributions but still no comprehensive data about dates and origins as there is for the rest of Llandudno. Why - were they ashamed of it? Would there be anything in Lloyd St school and/or is anyone in touch with Tom Parry?

Best wishes to all.

Mike. 

[suepp]

Alexandra Road was named after Queen Alexandra, consort of Edward VII

[suepp]

This is from "The Streets of Llandudno" published by Llandudno Historical Society

[kenilworth]

In my early teens I was a 'paperboy' at W H Smiths.   The employee who had the job of getting the papers ready at the weekend, for us lads to sort before delivery,  was called Bob and he lived at the stone cottage on the disused level crossing.  My dad knew Bob from their schooldays and referred to hin as 'Bobby Crossing'. 

[Trojan]

Alexandra Road was named after Queen Alexandra, consort of Edward VII

Probably the Alexandra Hotel also?