Earlier in the week, I wrote about a building that I had not really paid much attention to previously. I only noticed it on that day as I had sat opposite it to do a little bit of videoing in a crowded place. It was No. 50 the High Street.
Asking ChatGPT about it told me that the brickwork probably indicated a 1920’s or 30’s build, and just out of interest I asked what shop had been there are the place was built – ChatGPT couldn’t answer that one, but did suggest that the local library may have copies of Kelly’s Directory. I’ve just this second googled when was Kelly’s first published, and was told that was 1836, and that it was actually the Post Office Directory (the forerunner of the telephone directory)?
Our local ibrary, The Gosport Discovery Centre, had some Kelly’s Directories on its shelf. I have to say, what an amazing publication it was giving details for just about everybody private or commercial in the town (to be honest, I think it must have been just home owners, as there was only one entry per row / address.
The earliest edition that I looked at was the 1934-35 issue and No. 50 The High Street was owned by Mr. Charles (Chas) Standhaft. The 1940 – 41 publication lists the same owner. However, with the 1955 and 58 issues show the ownership changing, but staying in the family to an E. G Standhaft. I understand that Kelly’s Directory continued to be published until the mid-1970s and was eventually replaced by the telephone directory and yellow pages.
I’m just quite glad that I was able to find out that information.
Bills Posts 