Charing Cross
CROIX DE LA REINE
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 La Croix de la Reine is situated at Charing Cross in St. Helier. A memento of the the Queen's Silver Jubilee of 1977, it takes the form of an abstracted four-armed cross carved, almost encrusted, with views and symbols of St. Helier. The granite stones for the new cross were lifted into place by crane on 3 March 1978 and the cross was unveiled on the 19th. Cyril Warren, former Public Works engineer, was in charged of research and the design of the cross. The Procureurs du Bien Public of St Helier's Vingtaine de la Ville, Leslie Sinel and George Croad, thought that the cross should have panels depicting something of the town's history. They helped to choose some of the subjects for the panels, and indicated that the Vingtaine de la Ville would contribute towards the cost. Louis Chataignère, a French stone-engraver, was given the task of carving the cross. Having completed his task he retired. The Constable of St Helier, Peter Baker, performed the official unveiling ceremony, and said that it was unlikely that Jersey would see this quality of workmanship again. It took Mr Chataignère at least 240 hours to carve just one of its panels, depicting historical buildings and events connected with St Helier. George Croad said that he was proud to hand over a cheque for £3,000 to the Constable towards the cost of the cross on behalf of the Vingtaine. The cross contains features of the town, all within the Vingtaine: The Parish Church, Elizabeth Castle, the Hermitage, the old Island Prison, Mont de la Ville, "St Helier" (copied from a statue in Bréville, Normandy), an ormer shell, a town pump, the gold torque, a sailing ship, a Jersey milk can, "V" for Victory or Vega, and royal initials. There are also panels depicting the parish emblem, Queen Elizabeth's Jubilee, the names of the designer and stonemason and those of the Procureurs of La Vingtaine de la Ville. The flower bed that is attached is constructed with granite from all the quarries of Jersey and outlying islands. There is also a "footprint" of St Helier. He also said it was fitting that the cross should be unveiled in the year the Queen visited the Island, as the idea for its construction was conceived in Silver Jubilee Year. |
Charing Cross is the western gateway to the centre of St Helier, and until the early 19th century it was literally a gateway, with a narrow tunnel passing under the prison, which then straddled the wide road. But it had to go, partly because it was in an appalling condition, and partly because of the Lieut-Governor, General Don's road-building programme. He wanted to be sure to be able to move troops and equipment quickly around the island in times of emergency, and his guns would not pass through the tunnel under the prison.
The location of the prison gave Charing Cross its original name La Rue de la Prison. It was also known as La Pompe du Bas, because one of two town pumps, providing residents with fresh water, was located there.
To the west of Charing Cross was undeveloped sandy land, stretching down to the sea. The old town wall ran from here to the south of Broad Street, which was known as La Grande Rue, because it was the main thoroughfare to the Royal Square. The other street leading into the town from Charing Cross, King Street, barely existed in the early days of the development of St Helier. Today it is the island's main shopping street; then it was a back street, appropriately known as Rue de Derrière.
Prison
The prison was built Between 1688 and 1697. Before then all prisoners had to be held at Mont Orgueil Castle, and brought from there to town for trials at the Royal Court. It is believed that the design of the prison may have been because it was intended to represent a city gate, but it may also have been a copy of old Temple Bar in London. It was demolished in 1811.
Picture gallery
Click on image to see larger picture
The old prison
1942
Larbalestier perfumery
Larbalestier's
Charing Cross in the 1930s
Charing Cross in the 1930s
Charing Cross in 1955 - Picture Evening Post
Charing Cross in the early 20th century, with King Street to the left and Broad Street to the right
Picture from about 1920 by Albert Smith showing A Quenouillere's shop on the corner with Pitt Street offering a strange combination of jewellery and bicycles
1907
1968
Possibly taken during the German Occupation
German Victory Parade on 9 August 1940
The arch erected for Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee in 1897
The jubilee arch from the other side
Huelin's, 2 Charing Cross
The corner of Charing Cross and Dumaresq Street
The Co-operative on the corner with Pitt Street in 1940
King George V's silver jubilee in 1935
The doorway to A Le Rossignol pharmacist
Rutland House cycle shop
Ceremonial arch for the Coronation of George VI on 12 May 1937
In the 1930s
The early 1900s
The 1920s
The modern granite cross at Charing Cross
1950s
1960
1960s
19 and 20 Charing Cross
16 Charing Cross
A Visite Royale passes through Charing Cross in 1908
1930s
1970s
1970s
1950s
19 Charing Cross
Decorated for the Royal Visit in 1957
Dumaresq Street junction
1897
1900s
1942
1929
Businesses
Dupre and Sons, plumbers
Dupre and Sons
Johnnie Walker whisky, or alcohol-free cordials manufactured at 7 Charing Cross
Charing Cross supply stores
The Light and Heat Depot, dealers in paraffin stoves and lights
Rutland Cycle Works
P P Le Marquand, ironmonger
Larbalestier eau-de-cologne
Letto
1950
1950
1852
1852
1905
1920s
1859
1855
1857
Letto, 1940
Page's Charing Cross Bazaar was the business of Mr F R Page, at No 6, according to an almanac entry in 1910
1855
1862 advert
1925
1925
1948
1948
1948
1948
1948
1948
1948
1955
1955
1936
