Local history wonk [Howmuch?] has found this rather intriguing plan of land plots being auctioned along the Pelsall Road, Brownhills, hiding in the archives. The only snag is, we don’t know who was selling, when, or why.
My guess would be about 1890-ish.
I’m interested particularly in the house marked ‘Ivydene’ and the square, close or farmyard next door to it on the Brownhills side. Looking at it’s proximity to the bridge, I’d estimate that it stood where Taylor’s Cafe did, now new build housing.
Auction plot plan found in the archives by history operative Howmuch? – Click for a larger version. When studying this, beware that north is in different orientations for each draft; lord knows why.
There’s something even more interesting hidden away on this plan, and I have no idea whatsoever what it means, or relates to. Marked at the foot of the railway embankment, just where it crosses the canal, there’s a feature marked ‘Ventilator’:
What’s that all about then? Anything still there? Mineshaft beneath, or something else? Click for a larger version.
Any contributions are invited here. The auctioneers seem to be a company called Lomax, but that may be the printers. The surveyor is listed as Richard J. Barnes, of Lichfield.
Please comment here, or BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com. Cheers!