White Swan

Above photo circa 1900, kindly sent by Martin Barnes.

Above photo, date unknown.

Above photo circa 1905, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. An Edwardian view of Crayford, looking west, with Swan Cottages on the left. Very evidently, the pub was a tied house, within the estate of the Dartford Brewery Company. By way of celebrating the 9th August 1902 Coronation of Edward VII, Dartford Rural District Council commissioned the clock tower adjacent to the pub. In addition to letting people know what time it was, the clock tower also served as a ventilation shaft for the sewers which ran under the street! To the right of clock tower and behind the pub, was the Vickers' armaments and munitions works, which doubtless provided the local pubs with much welcome custom. In the far background, the tall chimney is that of Murgatroyd Brothers' tannery. What with this, a large munitions factory and roadside sewer vents, Edwardian Crayford must have had quite a unique smell!

Above postcard, circa 1905.

Above postcard, circa 1907.

Above photo circa 1930, kindly sent by Martin Barnes.

Above photo, 1960.

Above photo, 1960.

Above photo dated 1971, kindly sent by Martin Barnes.

Above photo, 1971.

White Swan bar date unknown.

Above photo dated 1975, by kind permission of David Smith.

Above photo dated 1995, by kind permission of David Smith.

Above sign left, 1975, sign right, August 1991.

With thanks from Brian Curtis www.innsignsociety.com.

Above photo, by Steve Thoroughgood.