The story of the Queens Hotel and its historical significance in Stockton
Stockton: Back in 1874, the impressive Queens Hotel opened its doors near the station. It boasted over 40 rooms and was known for its great food and reasonable prices.
Ian Reeve, a familiar face from Look North, spotted the hotel in some old photos from Florence Jennings, dating back to World War I.
Sadly, the hotel met its end in a fire in 1981, leading to a long legal battle for its owner, Ted Winter. He got £600,000 from insurance, but the taxman wanted a hefty chunk of it, which left him bankrupt.
Now, the spot where the Queens once stood is just a grassy area on Balaclava Street, but you can still see some of the old buildings nearby.
William Pearson, who grew up near the hotel, reminisces about the original Durham Road that ran straight from Stockton to Thorpe Thewles. He remembers climbing up to watch the Hush-Hush train zoom by.
That train was a special one, built in 1929, and it was quite the sight for the local kids who loved to play around the station.
William recalls how they would sneak around the station, dodging railway officials. They had a little escape route through the railings, which made for some fun adventures.
The streets behind the hotel were named after battles from the Crimean War, like Balaclava and Inkerman. It’s interesting how history is woven into the very fabric of the area.
Some streets were named after British commanders, like Lord Cardigan and Lord Lucan, who had a notorious rivalry. It’s funny to think their streets were right next to each other.
William lived on Nolan Place, named after Captain Louis Nolan, who famously led the Light Brigade into battle. It’s a bit ironic since he’s often blamed for the disastrous charge.
Even though the houses are gone now, you can still see the layout of the streets. The Stockton Registry Office is now on Nolan Place, showing that not all history is about blunders.
In its prime, Stockton station was a bustling hub, with the Queens Hotel right next to it. Today, it’s a different scene, but the memories linger on.
