NOTTINGHAM PAST & PRESENT: STREETS AND YARDS

CHARLOTTE STREET, 1895

Charlotte Street has now completely disappeared, although its site is marked by the foot bridge leading over the Victoria Station. It was not one of the old streets of the town, and was named after Queen Charlotte (the wife of George III.) who was extremely popular in Nottingham, owing to the sympathy aroused by her persecution. It commenced opposite the modern Shakespeare Street, which was anciently called 'Cross Lane', and which was one of the muddiest and foulest lanes of the district. Somewhere in Cross Lane stood the Jews' Gallows, for no self respecting Christian criminal would condescend to be executed upon the same gallows as that which was used to terminate the existence of a Jew.

Charlotte Street led through to Glasshouse Street, of which there is little to say, and was not a particularly salubrious thoroughfare. For some reason, it was generally referred to as 'Charlotter Street' which is a curious example of our vernacular.

Mr. Hammond's drawing is interesting as a reminder of the traffic and dress to be seen about the streets of Nottingham a generation ago, and it is astonishing to think, when one looks at this picture, that it is now necessary to have a policeman stationed at the point from which it is drawn to direct and control the traffic.