Galley Hill Road

Swanscombe

Above photo, 1912.

Above photo, circa 1944.

I am informed that the building was opened in 1866.

The following information has been taken from a book titled, "Swanscombe in old picture postcards, by Christoph Bull":- Coming west from Northfleet along the A226, the "Black Eagle" was the first building inside Swanscombe Parish. The pub dates from about 1866 and served the Taunton Road community and the expanding industrial areas springing up on the Swanscombe/Northfleet border. As road traffic increased during the twentieth century, this corner became dangerous and saw many accidents. The "Black Eagle" was damaged on 30th July 1944 when a V1 (flying bomb) destroyed much property in Taunton Road and on the main road (killing 13 people and injuring 91). In the 1950s the pub had its saloon bar (left hand side), jug and bottle (middle doors) and the public bar through the double doors at the front. The beer was held in high esteem because the best temperature was maintained by it being stored in the cellar cut out of chalk with no brick lining inside. The Black Eagle was demolished in 1968.

LICENSEE LIST

TAYLOR Caroline 1881+ (widow age 46 in 1881)

ELLIOT George 1891+ (age 33 in 1891)

WHITE Harry 1901+ (age 28 in 1901)

MORGAN Walter Thomas 1913-22+

MARTIN Frederick 1930+

STOKES George 1938+

https://pubwiki.co.uk/BlackEagle.shtml

Census