24 Cannon Street

1 Cannon Street

Mr Henry James Wells standing outside the Rose Inn where he stayed from 1912 to 1916. (Obviously not outside though).

A similar shot of The Rose Inn.

Rose Inn date unknown.

There have been many guesses concerning the origin of this one so let us spend a minute looking at local history. We know that Challice kept a forge on this corner, outside the town gate, up to 1613 when he moved to another world. The gate itself was taken down in 1752 and some say that the "Rose" was built or rebuilt after that removal. Part of the adjoining town wall still standing in 1827, was removed that year. That led some to believe it was done so that the "Rose" could be built. New Street dates from 1783.

It is also recorded that four years after the gate disappeared a stone was inserted into the wall of the pub to mark the spot. There are prints in possession of Dover Museum which give the impression that it was built on 'stilts' for want of a better word, with steps leading up to it.

When its successor closed in 1973 it was said to be nearly one hundred and fifty years old.

So, having digested all that, I can now assure you that the pub was kept by Cleveland in 1826. When auctioned, in May 1859, together with its so described excellent yard and outbuildings, it realised £870. The house number will vary over the years. The low numbers started from this end at one time.

Road widening was spoken about in October, 1891 when a Common Hall called on the town council to widen the main thoroughfare; and parliamentary power for that purpose was obtained in 1892. In due course, negotiations were entered into, and the property on the west side of the street was purchased obliging Dover Corporation to purchase the property, including the stables, for £1,594.6s. We know that following that widening, the pub was rebuilt on the corner with New Street. Quite quickly too. Bourner was the licensee from 1895.

 The widening of the road went from the "Rose" Inn down as far as Bryson's Bakery, for which slice £24,201 28. Id. was paid.

The new pub was fed latterly by Whitbread-Fremlin but closed finally on 13 January 1973. The premises were then altered to accommodate a building society, another stone concerning Biggin Gate taking its place in the side wall.

LICENSEE LIST

CLEVELAND 1805

CLEVELAND William 1823-28+

WRATTON Richard 1832-39+

COULTHARD Elias 1846-48

PHILPOTT 1851

CLARK Werter 1856

PETTS Thomas Edward 1858-60

FENIMORE T. 1864-68 dec'd

FENIMORE Mrs 1868

CLARK George Hurst 1872-74+

CASH John William 1882

BAYNTON F. T. 1883

BIRCH 1883 end

PARSONS John Hubert or C. 1884-85 end

BIRCH Joseph George 1885

BOURNER William John 1895-1903

WALTON John William 1903-04 end

GRINDELL Henry 1904-08 end

KIDD Frank Beecher 1908-12 end

WELLS Henry James 1912-16 end

HILTON Thomas 1916-28 end

YOUNG Henry James 1928-30 end

HARRIS William 1929-30 end?

MARTIN Wilfred 1930-44

MORISON Herbert O. 1944-54 end

BRIGHTWELL Charles S. 1954

WILLIS Frederick H. G. 1955-56 end

NOAKES H. R. 1956

???? DENNIS  or Dennis ???? 1959

KELLY or Kerry F. P. 1961-62 end

KERRY Frederick P. or Kelly 1961-62 end

GARTON Arthur Edward 1962-67

HUTLEY John C. M. 1967-73 end

From the Pigot's Directory 1823

From the Pigot's Directory 1828-9

From the Pigot's Directory 1832-33-34

From the Pigot's Directory 1839

From the Pigot's Directory 1840

From Bagshaw Directory 1847

From Melville's Directory 1858

From the Post Office Directory 1874

From the Post Office Directory 1882

From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1895

From the Kelley's Directory 1899

From the Post Office Directory 1903

From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1909

From the Post Office Directory 1913

From the Post Office Directory 1922

From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1924

From the Post Office Directory 1930

From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1932-33

From the Post Office Directory 1938

From the Kelley's Directory 1950

From the Kelley's Directory 1953

From the Kelley's Directory 1956