"Now Picture That" is a series of posts which share old
engravings and photos of Britain to help you imagine how things looked in times
gone by.
Preston’s Market Square has stood at the heart of the region’s economy for centuries.
The Obelisk, erected in 1782, originally had a stone orb on the top which was replaced by a gas burner in a glass globe. The gas pipe ran inside the stone column. In 1853 the obelisk was removed from the square and was, quite ingloriously, used as gate posts at Hollowforth Hall in Woodplumpton. Some 126 years later it was restored to its former glory, and on the 10th May 1979 her Majesty the Queen unveiled the restored obelisk as part of the 800th anniversary celebrations of Preston’s first Royal charter.
In the background stands some delightful half timbered buildings built around 1629. These were cleared away in 1857 to make way for the new Town Hall.
Take a FREE tour of this market place with a self guided tour app found via www.obelisktours.com
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