There are buildings from Watford’s past that people miss because of their architecture, function or both reasons in some instances. It is fair to say this structure, located in a road which now has a different name, is probably not one of them.
The Watford Observer is again delighted to team up with its friends at Watford Museum to look at some structures or objects from the town’s past that have either disappeared or been relocated. Today we recall the Pest House.
The museum’s volunteer archivist Christine Orchard said: “The Pest House was located at the end of Willow Lane, a road originally known as Pest House Lane. It was dedicated to helping contain the spread of infectious diseases, such as Smallpox.
“It isn't clear if the first pest house in Watford was established on this site but there are references to it being here in the mid-18th century. It seems likely that it had been here in some form for some time as it was a reasonable distance from the town.
“This image is dated c1910, it is thought it was demolished a few years later although the building still shows on Ordnance Survey maps after this time.”
Watford Museum is open Thursday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm.
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