The Watford Observer is again delighted to be teaming up with its friends at Watford Museum to take another journey back to the past to recall the key events and dates that helped shape the town’s future.
The 27th part of '50 events and dates that shaped Watford' looks back to when a brewery was bought by a family, signalling the birth of one of the best important businesses in the town's history - Benskins.
Benskins sale auction notice from the Hertford Mercury and Reformer of November 2, 1867
The museum's volunteer archivist Christine Orchard said: "On November 25, 1867, a brewery, known as Cannon Brewery was put up for auction following the death of its owner John Dyson III. Included in the sale was a house (now Watford Museum), two malthouses and 42 public houses.
Benskin's purchase of the brewery in the Watford Observer of November 30, 1867
"Following 'spirited competition' it was bought by Joseph Benskin and his business partner William George Bradley for £34,000. The partnership, however was dissolved in 1870.
Benskins Brewery c.1887 as view shows the railway siding
"New brewery buildings were added over a period and in 1887 a railway siding was added to allow easy transport of products to London.
The brewery in 1922
"The house was lived in by the Benskin family, eventually becoming the company’s head office. Brewing continued until the 1970s."
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.
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