Many pubs have closed in Watford over the years but you could be forgiven if you’ve never heard of the Crystal Palace.

The Watford Observer has again teamed up with Watford Museum and is delighted to showcase some pictures from its archive – this week it’s a pub that pulled its last pint more than a century ago and was once run a greengrocer.

The museum’s volunteer archivist Christine Orchard said: “The Crystal Palace Public House was located on the High Street not far from Queens Road – it is difficult to locate today as this stretch of shops is part of the Atria shopping centre.

Watford Observer:

The red dot marks where the pub was located on this old map

“It is believed the pub was opened in 1854 and one of the first families to run it were the Rossons. Joseph Rosson was also a greengrocer although it seems unlikely he traded from the pub.

“This photograph was taken by a local architect, A Whitford Anderson, and is dated 26 June 1907. It is probably the last views of the pub before it was closed.”

Watford Museum is open Thursday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm. No booking is necessary but Covid prevention measures are still in place to keep visitors safe.