Photos of Wigan
Photos of Wigan
Album Contents
Album Contents
Wigan Album
Millgate
3 Comments
The Fish Stones, Market Place
Photo: Keith
Photo: Keith
Views: 344
Item #: 35736
Item #: 35736
I think we owe a debt of gratitude to Mr John Cooper. He is responsible for some of the earliest photographic views of the town, many of which have been shown on this site. This one shows the “Old Fish Stalls” which I have read were removed before 1866 but how many years before was not defined. However at a guess, it could have been somewhere between 1859 and 1866. My estimate is based on the fact that in 1859 John Cooper was listed in the Wigan Directory as Landlord of the Royal Oak in Standishgate and photographer and the removal of the fish stones was sometime before 1866. I believe this photo also shows the pub the “Ring O’ Bells” in Millgate, it was situated opposite the Ship Inn.
Comment by: john on 13th April 2025 at 20:11
Superb picture
Comment by: Colin Traynor on 15th April 2025 at 11:46
Great photo to retrieve Keith, the Fish Stones as they were known were originally a permanent feature on that wide corner of Millgate and Market Place, I imagine the stone slabs kept the fish cold and fresher, especially if they had ice..
It would look even better restored (which can be done) or your expertise if colourised.
I wonder if the photo was taken on a Friday and they are all queuing for Fish?
Comment by: Keith on 15th April 2025 at 15:07
Thank you John and Colin for your comments. I did try to colourise but with little success. Restoring it would be a difficult task I imagine but someone might try.
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