Hitchin, a fine example of an old market town, boasts a wealthy architectural heritage. It has also been home to many talented and distinguished residents.
Blue Plaque Trail To mark the millennium a blue plaque scheme was initiated, with much help from local commercial undertakings. This resulted in thirteen blue plaques being placed around the town – these are described below. A numbered map, drawn by James Willis to assist in locating them, can be downloaded by clicking on the link above. Additional outline drawings were provided by James Willis, as well as Carola Scupham and Daphne Gibson.
In 2011 an additional, fourteenth, blue plaque was created for local resident, Richard Walker, and subsequently a fifteenth was added. These are included in the list below. At least one more is being researched.
- William Ransom and Son plc, pharmaceutical chemists:
104 Bancroft, SG5 1LY - Frederic Seebohm: 1 – 5 Hermitage Road, SG5 1LT
- Hawkins Russell Jones: 7 – 8 Portmill Lane, SG5 1DJ
- The Old Library and Mechanics Institute:
9 Brand Street, SG5 1HX - The Old Town Hall: 10 Brand Street, SG5 1HX
- Barclays Bank: 5 – 6 High Street, SG5 1BH
- Hitchin Corn Exchange: 31 Market Place, SG5 1DY
- James Gatward: 20 – 21 Market Place, SG5 1DU
- The Sun Hotel: Sun Street, SG5 1AF
- Hitchin Priory: Tilehouse Street, SG5 2DL
- George Chapman: 34 Tilehouse Street, SG5 2DY
- The Lord Lister Hotel: 1 Park Street, SG4 9AH
- Hitchin British Schools: 41 – 42 Queen Street, SG4 9TS
- Richard Walker: 32 Fishponds Road, SG5 1N
- Benslow House: Benslow Nursing Home, Benslow Rise, SG4 9QY
Much of the information in these articles is taken from the leaflet HITCHIN – Blue Plaque Trail, published by the Society in 2000. This is currently out of print, but it is hoped to produce an updated version.
