Putting A Date To An Old Building

[Lynn_M]

There's an obscure building in Northumberland that I care about, and I need to know when it was built. I do know that it was built in the 1930's, but it would help if I knew which year exactly.

Is there somewhere where they keep records for things such as this? Would they have had to apply for Planning Permission?

Please point me in the right direction

[stuey]

Inquire at your local historical society.

[Barmaid]

Your local library may have a local studies section which should have the info.

[Peter Pedant]

hmm pity - I could help if you thought it was built in the 1390s....

[stuey]

I should have mentioned that firstly, check to see if it has a cornerstone.

[Canary42]

Do the Deeds still exist and can you access them - they should tell you when it was built.

[Khandro]

If you name the building and the location, someone on AB may find out for you - no promises, but there are some good 'truffle dogs' on here.

[The Builder]

Lynn, is it in a town, a village, open countryside?
A Conservation Area?

Could you post a pic?

[Mosaic]

...or even a grid reference, or describe the location eg on west side of Craster heading towards X.

[Lynn_M]

OK, when I said 'obscure building,' I meant something of no great historical interest; at least for most people. Indeed, only its high asbestos content saved it from demolition!

It's the old Boiler House at Stannington Children's Sanatorium, which closed in 1984 and was demolished c.1992. Only some staff houses and old air raid shelters remain. Unlike Gateshead Asylum (not in Gateshead) down the road, it was bulldozed before the age of the digital camera, therefore it doesn't feature much on sites such as 'derelictPlaces.co.uk.'

You'll find some photos of it here, but you'll have to scroll down and down and down.

http://www.derelictplaces.co.uk/main/military-sites/21897-millitary-hospital-phillipson-sanitarium-tranwell.html

It's located about 3 miles SSW of Morpeth and you'll find it on Google Earth at:

55degrees 07'55.82"North, 1degrees 42'23.20"West. Elevation 108m Eye alt 228m

[Peaspeculiars]

Lynn, can you spot in on this Pathe Film reel?
http://www.britishpathe.com/video/stannington-sanatorium-reel-1

There is also a 'Stannington Sanitorium Project' Blog which you might find further info on there:
http://www.northumberlandarchives.com/stannington-childrens-hospital/

[Fibonacci]

The sanatorium opened in 1907
http://www.experiencewoodhorn.com/voices-of-stannington-sanatorium/

[Lynn_M]

PATHE FILM REEL: The boiler house is the building with the tall chimney (now gone), seen from the aerial picture right at the beginning of the clip

[THECORBYLOON]

It was opened on 5.10.1907

[Khandro]

Lynn; I told you; once they start you can't stop 'em :0)

[Lynn_M]

Listen folks, I know that the Sanatorium opened in 1907, but I need to know when - in the 1930's - the Boiler House was built! Thanks

[atalanta]

Get onto the Northumberland County Archivist. Should be findable via your favourite search engine.

[Peaspeculiars]

Lynn, take a peek at this link - The Sanitorium was also known as St Mary's hospital - The explorer here is fascinated with bricks - here may be your clue. Were there any maker marks to note within the boiler house building walls? If so, we might be able to track the company and place a date depending on when the bricks/ brick Co. was running.
http://www.ukurbex.com/index.php?/topic/1777-st-marys-hospital-stannington-its-smaller-than-i-remember-august-2011/

[Peaspeculiars]

Khandro - your right! this googling malarky is addictive when you get interested in someone's query! :o)

[stuey]

Surely the boiler house, which supplied power and heat to the hospital, would have been built at the same time as the rest of the hospital. Unless, of course, there was a replacement one built.

[Peaspeculiars]

^^ More than likely Stuey, I think you're right.
Lynn, heres a bit more history for you - all buildings and later additions apart from the boiler house are mentioned:
http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/st-marys-lunatic-asylum-stannington-northumberland.t88163