Perry Hill Post Office

Perry Hill Post Office circa 1885

A really proud piece of advertising from the time, showing off the shops' wares, highlighting that Post Office was only part of the shops business. It also looks like a couple of policemen are in shot as well. I've noticed a few stray policemen in the pictures - which makes some sense in that the Police station is just down the road. Presumably there were more bobbies on the beat back then.

I am not too sure on the date, but know it is before 1894 from the Ordnance Survey map of that date. From a little web-search, according to the local News Shopper newspaper, it looks like there was a Post Office on Perry Hill until 2003.  

The Ordnance Survey map shows where the Post Office was, which I wouldn't have located from this picture alone. There is a wider lens shot on a Lewisham borough website which I did initially use to find the position. It was much easier to just check the map! The map also highlights the Smithy next door, which would have been reached by the alleyway 'guarded' by the bobbies.

Today stands a Social Housing scheme, named Dowson House. It is difficult to imagine a reenactment of the original by the inhabitants, but you never know - maybe a picture for the future.

Dowson House, Perry Hill, Feb 2020