Watford council once based where Gade House now stands

The Watford Observer has again joined forces with its friends at Watford Museum to look back at structures, objects or businesses from the town’s past that have either disappeared or been relocated and this week we look back at Upton House.

The museum’s volunteer archivist Christine Orchard said: “The High Street between the flyover and the Town Hall did not originally have shops but instead large houses. One of these, where Gade House is today, was called Upton House.

• Looking back at much-missed The Horns pub in the 1960s
• Looking back at Market Place - without the market stalls
• How Watford looked from a helicopter in the late eighties

Upton Park (Image: Gregg Couper/Watford Museum)

“Originally a private house occupied by Dr Hood, it was put up for auction in 1891.

“The house was purchased by the chairman of the town's Local Board (or council) for £2,650 and council business was moved here from Local Board Road later that year.

Gade House, viewed from the flyover, now stands on the site (Image: Google Street View)

“When Upton House became too small, the current Town Hall was constructed.

“The house was demolished in the late 1950s ready for redevelopment for retail businesses.”

Visit the Museum Facebook page or website www.watfordmuseum.org.uk to see more historic photos.