The Watford Observer is again delighted to be teaming up with its friends at Watford Museum to take another journey back to the past to recall the key events and dates that helped shape the town’s future.
The 26th part of '50 events and dates that shaped Watford' looks back to the removal of a gate where people had to pay a toll before they could travel any further.
The museum's volunteer archivist Christine Orchard said: "At the bottom of the High Street, just on the town-side of Bushey Arches, there used to be a toll gate. This gate, or turnpike, blocked travel and would only be opened on payment of a toll or fee. The funds gathered were to maintain a road surface, in this instance, by the Sparrows Herne Turnpike Trust.
"Payment was made to a toll keeper or collector and anyone attempting to evade payment could be taken to court. One example, printed in the Watford Observer in 1863, describes a surgeon from Kilburn who refused to pay what would have been pennies and was fined £1 and £2 5s. costs.
"The old turnpike gate was removed in the 1870s however a marker is still in existence and is by the pavement outside of the Jaguar car showroom."
Watford Museum is open Thursday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm. No booking is necessary but Covid prevention measures are still in place to keep visitors safe.
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