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.
Part 44 of '50 events and dates that shaped Watford' looks back at the building of a factory in the town that was to become one of its best-known employers.
The museum’s volunteer archivist Christine Orchard said: “Around 1906, a new printing factory was constructed in Whippendell Road (near to Ascot Road) for G W Jones Ltd at a cost of £14,000.
"The business name changed a few year later to, as shown on the facade in this photograph at the top of this page, The Menpes Printing Co Ltd.
"This image shows exactly how the building would have looked in 1906, as the originally picture was retouched and the name of G W Jones Ltd replaced with the Menpes one.
The Sun Engraving Company Ltd c1919
“The business name changed further before finally becoming The Sun Engraving Company Ltd. As the business grew, new buildings were added and alterations made.
An aerial view of the Sun site c1930
“Sadly, both business and building are gone and the site redeveloped but the industry's presence in the area is remembered in the side street named Printers Avenue.”
Watford Museum is open Thursday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm.
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