The Sun and 13 Cantons

[smurfchops]

Saw a pub in Soho London with this intriguing name ... what is a canton ?

[WyeDyed]

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/canton
Take your pick. Looking into it...

[paddywak]

Has it got some connection with Switzerland? as a Canton is the name given to the states that country.

[WyeDyed]

This may be relevant:
http://en.wikipedia.o...Old_Swiss_Confederacy

[ABerrant]

For centuries the area was home to a community of Swiss immigrants. The Swiss Church ("Eglise Suisse") is not far from that pub.

http://www.swisschurc...outus_church_building

[jno]

the sun is probably Geneva

[smurfchops]

paddywak, I googled it first and did find the item about the 13 Swiss states but didn't realise there was a connection between Switzerland and Soho. Must be that then. Thanks all ! I had printed off a walking tour of Soho (Time Out website) and did that today, very interesting. Lovely old place, reminded me of the East End with the old buildings and little old windows up above the shops below. I used to work there years ago (no, not doing that, I know what you are all thinking) but I was never interested in the history and architecture.

[jno]

oh, I was there today, must have just missed you

[Ankou]

the name of the pub was given by an innkeeper of swiss origin in the mid-eighteenth century, at which time there were 13 cantons (small political divisions) united together in a defensive league. modern switzerland now has 26 cantons. the area of soho where this pub is situated is still something of a swiss centre in london. indeed there remains a swiss church (endell street) and of course swiss cottage. a swiss centre used to exist on leicester square, but sadly demise led to its demolition in 2008.