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.
Part 49 of ‘50 events and dates that shaped Watford’ recalls an event that changed everything in a small way - the earliest date that any building in the town was numbered.
Market Place, Watford
Do you recognise the building that now houses Five Guys burger bar?
The museum’s volunteer archivist Christine Orchard said: "In late 1870, a committee was set up for the purpose of naming the streets and numbering the houses in the town. Proposals also included replacing the court names with a number and the roads named Queen's Street and Queen's Road now be called Queen's Street.
High Street, Watford
"Most proposals were adopted, although the name Queen's Road was chosen. In February 1871, the Board of Health issued notices requiring inhabitants of the High Street to begin using and displaying a number. Presumably numbering was established in preparation for the 1871 census.
"I've always wondered what impact it may have made on trade."
The pre-numbering advert
Inset are adverts for Mr H Grover showing his Watford Observer advert before and after the change.
The advert after the street was renamed and numbers added
Watford Museum is open Thursday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm.
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