Arthur Edward Cogswell

Cogswell was a local architect who, although not well known, left a strong mark on the appearance of Portsmouth lasting until this day.

He arrived in Portsmouth in the early 1870s and served an apprenticeship with a prominent local architect, George Rake, with whom he worked on the new goal in Kingston and St James' Hospital in Milton. Later he built a reputation of his own and was particularly respected by the Brickwood family who commissioned him to design numerous local pubs. He was also responsible for local shops, banks, churches, schools, cinemas, theatres and, in the early 1900s, the Carnegie Library in Fratton Road to which he gave his services for free. His style is very recognisable throughout the city.

A full set of his plans, giving huge and colourful detail, is available at the Portsmouth History Centre.

A Lively Lady

On 4 July 1968 Alec Rose, a green grocer, was cheered by hundreds of thousands in a triumphant reception on his return to Portsmouth Harbour. He had sailed his boat, the Lively Lady, single handedly round the world in a journey taking 354 days. The next day he was knighted by the Queen. He was 59.

Sea Bathing

'Southsea beach boasts a superiority over any other in the kingdom, for the clear sea-water, and the acknowledged utility which has followed the use of its baths in numerous complaints which bade defiance to medical skill'

A visitor Thomas Roscoe writing in 1830.

An ancient name for the Hill

The name of Portsdown Hill, a ridge running along the north of Portsmouth, originates from Portus Dun where Portus = Port and Dun = Hill. Locally it is just known as 'The Hill'.

Beatrix Potter and HMS Victory

'I think this ship was one of the most picturesque sights imaginable, particularly from close under the stairs - looking up at the queer little port-holes, and the end like a quaint carved old house...'

Beatrix Potter describing HMS Victory on a visit to Portsmouth in 1884

The Village

The district surrounding Palmerston Road including St Judes Church was known as The Village in 1851.

Getting on to an Island

Prior to 1927 the only road connection between Portsea Island and the mainland was an inconvenient and slow swing bridge over Portsbridge at Hilsea. This was improved to a permanent road but prompted by concern caused by the terrible blitz of early 1941 (getting help onto the Island and potentially evacuating everyone off), another route, the Eastern Road, was completed during World War II. The M275 subsequently opened in 1976 allowing access straight to the heart of Portsmouth. These three routes still remain the only road links off Portsea Island today.