The Grand Hotel
The Grand hotel was
built between 1863 and 1867. After years of searching for a photograph of
the Grand Hotel during its building I eventually came across this Stereoscopic
view in
America. The photograph can be dated fairly accurately as we know that hotel
was started in 1863, but money ran out about two years later and it was
left part finished. Work began again in 1866 and the hotel was completed
in 1867.
I believe this photo is the earliest photo of the hotel
in existance.
The above
photo also shows the old spa buildings 'Paxton's Music Hall'. This building
would be destroyed by fire only a few years later in September 1876. This
was replaced by 'Verity & Hunt's Grand Hall'... which still stands today.
Above
is a close up of this photograph showing very clearly the Grand Hotel under
construction. Notice the scaffolding surroundng the building. The spa bridge
can be seen on the lower left.
