These great pictures show one of Watford's best known roads at various stages during the past century. But did you know it started life as two separate streets.

The Watford Observer has again teamed up with Watford Museum and is delighted to showcase some pictures from its archive – this week it's Queens Road.

The museum's volunteer archivist Christine Orchard said: "In 1870, at a Local Board committee meeting, it was agreed that 'Queen-street and Queen’s-road be called Queen’s-road throughout.'

"The part known as Queen Street ran from the High Street to Derby Road, with Queen’s Road being the next part with two-way traffic throughout its length.

Watford Observer:

Queen's Road c1910. Valentine series postcard

"The new name took some time to be taken up and some advertisers in the newspapers still stated their business was in Queen Street as late as the 1900s.

"The road was constructed in the early 1860s and unlike King Street - which was named after Jonathan King - it seems likely that there is a royal connection and it was named after Queen Victoria.

Watford Observer:

"The spire at the centre of the picture belongs to the Wesleyan church which was on the corner of Derby Road. Along with the Watford’s first purpose-built library, it was a prominent landmark on Queen’s Road."

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.