Geography (5): Bournemouth (1859)

Introduction

Geography (5) contains a description of Bournemouth as found in White’s Directory (p. 404) for 1859. It shows several changes that happened over the previous decade.

Geography (5): text

[Overall]

Bournemouth, in the parish of Holdenhurst, is a small improving town and bathing place, picturesquely situated on the shore of Poole Bay …. and at the mouth of the small river Bourne. Until 1838, it had only a few fishermen’s huts, but it is now a fashionable summer watering place, and a favourite winter residence for invalids; having a mild and genial atmosphere, excellent facilities for bathing, and beautiful scenery in its vicinity. It has about 1500 inhabitants, having more than doubled its population and buildings since 1851. It has now four good hotels, many handsome mansions, and commodious lodging-houses, a suit(sic) of public baths, a good library and reading rooms, and a number of bathing machines …

[Sanatorium]

In 1855, a “Sanatorium” was established here for the reception of convalescent consumptive patients, and others suffering from diseases of the chest, who are likely to be much benefited, if not cured, by a temporary residence in the dry and salubrious climate of Bournemouth. This excellent institution is supported chiefly by annual subscriptions and donations. It occupies a commodious building, with beds for 30 patients. The number admitted since the opening to August, 1858, was 162, of whom 66 were discharged, very much improved, and 44 improved in a less degree …

[Infrastructure]

Under an act of parliament obtained in 1856, twelve commissioners are appointed for the improvement of the town and the erection of a pier … In 1855, a Freehold Land Society purchased and commenced building neat houses, etc., on the allotments called the Branksome estate. The Public Baths are in a neat building erected by a company of shareholders, in 1843, at the cost of £500 … a library of about 3000 volumes …

[Worship]

The Church (St Peter) … built in 1844-45, at a cost of about £1500 … its enlargement, to meet the increasing wants of the town, is in contemplation. It now has 600 sittings, of which 186 are free. The National School was erected in 1850, at the cost of £500, and has about 90 scholars. A Scotch Church (St Andrew) was erected here in 1857-8 of galvanised iron, at the cost of £700, raised by subscription … Here is also a large and handsome Independent Chapel, built in 1848-9, at the cost of about £2000.

Geography (5): discussion

This entry from White’s Directory (1859) suggests that Bournemouth had advanced far during the 1850s. The ‘creation myth’ of the fishermen’s huts remains, but the description contains much detail about the town’s infrastructure. The population had reached 1500. The importance of the Sanatorium appears here. Reference to the survival rates of patients suggests that such information may have become a matter of public knowledge, perhaps pride. Other accounts applied the adjective ‘National’ to its name, so, to an extent, its presence put the town’s healthy credentials on show across the country. By now, residents and visitors could choose between three religious sites. A hint of religious and perhaps social competition appears in the relative costs to build these structures. St Peter’s perhaps served affluent visitors, whereas the Independent chapel attracted local, working and middling people. The decision to enlarge St Peter’s suggests a need to catch-up amongst the Anglicans. For references and engagement, please get in touch here. Primary sources, here and here (subscriptions required for each).