APOLLO INN, 34 North Road

APOLLO INN   #

45 (Later 151) North Road
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Described in Kelly's 1905 Directory as "Apollo Wine and Spirit Stores'.
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I have often travelled on the Holme Slack bus (pictured) to visit my grand-mother who lived near the home of Preston North End. I well remember this inn, and the Craven Heifer opposite, on what was a rather complicated junction of roads.
It was the point where the present North Road split, with Park Road forking to the left and North Road continuing into the town centre.

MINE HOSTS

Pre-1837           Thomas Lowe
1834                  John Mayor - nothing certain about this, but here for further checking.

1835 - 43          Septimus Blackhurst 

1851                  Richard Fairclough

1851                  Henry Blackhurst  - The owner of the house, also.

1853 - 54          John Horn

1857                  Robert Riley

1861 - 65           Edward Yates

1871 - 77          William Davis (Davies) - (Mrs. Davies d. March 1889 at 10, Gt. Avenham St.)

1878 - 83          George Gaunt (wife, Mary, died 19.1.1881 aged 41 years)

1883 - 88          Thomas Cartmell

1888                  John Wilkins

1888 - 89          Robert Oldham

1889                  Ellen Gregson

1889 - 94          Henry Turner

1894 - 95          Lawrence Hodgson

1895                 James Campbell

1896                William Sharples (A licensed victualler from Lune Street. I think he owned the property /
                                                                                    business until at least 1901)

1896 - 1924     James Mercer  -  1924 listed as "Apollo Wine and Spirit Stores"

1926 - 27         Joseph Singleton

1932                Joseph Carter

1936                John Frankland

1944                Joseph Thompson
1948 - 57        James Hall

Until 1877 the property was owned by the Trustees of the late Miles Myers,

a former mayor in the town. It was sold in that year to the sitting tenant,
William Davis. A year later Davis sold it to George Gaunt.

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Preston Chronicle  18th February 1837
Obviously it had to be before this date that LOWE was at the
Apollo Inn. In fact, according to the above notice it was his most
recent location.  He was earlier at the Mitre in Fishergate.*
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Preston Chronicle   24th December 1842
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Preston Chronicle  18th May 1844

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Preston Guardian  25th October 1851
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Preston Chronicle  26th June 1852
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TEA  AND  BALL
The Loyal Ancient Order of Shepherds hade their annual tea party and ball in the Corn Exchange on Monday evening.
Although the weather was very wet, about 300 sat down to tea which took place in the Long Room.
After tea the company adjourned to the Assembly Room where dancing commenced about 8 o'clock to the strains of the band of the 21st L.A.V., and was kept up with spirit till a late hour.
Refreshments were provided by Mr. Davies, of the Apollo Inn, North Road. 
The reunion was a most successful one.
Preston Herald   23rd October 1872
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SHEPHERDS Third ANNUAL TEA PARTY and BALL, in aid of the Widow and Orphans' Fund, will be held in the Corn Exchange, on Monday, October 20th, 1873, under distinguished patronage.
The refreshment stall will be conducted by Mr. William Davies of the Apollo Inn, North Road.  Tickets: Gents'. 2s; Ladies 1s 6d.
Preston Herald   11th October 1873
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UNITED FREE GARDENERS' sixth annual TEA PARTY and BALL, in aid of the Widow and Orphans' Fund, will, by kind permission of the Mayor, be held in the Corn Exchange, on Tuesday evening next, October 28th, 1873, under distinguished patronage.
The Refreshment Stall will be conducted by Mr. William Davies, of the Apollo Inn, North Road.
Tickets:  Gentlemen's 1s 6d; Ladies 1s 3d.
Preston Herald   25th October 1873
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UNITED FREE GARDENERS' Seventh Annual TEA PARTY and BALL, in aid of the Widow and Orphans' Fund, will be held in the Corn Exchange, on Monday, 26th October, 1874, (by kind permission of his Worship the Mayor, J.J. Myres, Esq), and under distinguished patronage.
The Refreshment Stall will be conducted by Mr. W. Davis, of the Apollo Inn, North Road.
Doors open at 7, tea on the table at half past 7 o'clock prompt.
Tickets:  Gentlemen 1s 6d; ladies, 1s 3d.
M. Taylor, Secretary.
Preston Herald   24th October 1874
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SECOND ANNUAL CATHOLIC CHARITY BALL
A second ball in connection with the Catholic body of the town took place in the Assembly Room of the Corn Exchange on Tuesday evening last, resulting satisfactorily in every particular. It was numerously attended, leaving us naturally to suppose that a handsome sum will remain to be charitably disbursed.
The room and ante-rooms were beautifully decorated with white and crimson curtains, the floor being laid with white Holland. The spectacle when the dancing was at its height assumed, so to speak, a kaleidoscopic aspect, and Messrs. Eastwood and  Taylor, the decorators, may be complimented upon their assistance in producing this effect.
The office of the Master of Ceremonies was worthily filled by Mr. Joseph Atkinson, he having the assistance of a strong band of stewards.
The refreshments were supplied by Mr. Davies of the Apollo Inn, and Mr. Jackson's excellent quadrille band occupied the orchestra, and undoubtedly general satisfaction was given. 
Dancing continued until an early hour on Wednesday morning.
Preston Herald   23rd January 1875
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To be Sold by Private Treaty, a capital BEERHOUSE, in the centre of town. This is a chance seldom to be met with.
For particulars, apply W. Davis, Apollo Inn.
Preston Herald   18th September 1875
 It isn't known whether this refers to the Apollo or another house.
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PRESENTATION TO A TRADE SECRETARY.
The members of the Preston and Chorley Branch of the Society of Iron-founders of England, Ireland, and Wales, met on Saturday evening at their club-room, Apollo Inn, North Road, Preston, for the purpose of presenting a silver lever watch and gold Albert guard, with a purse of money, to Mr. Thomas Helm, the secretary of the branch.
Mr. Thomas Osbaldeston, the president, occupied the chair, and Mr. James Towers the vice-chair.
After congratulatory addresses had been delivered by the chairman and other friends, the presentations were made by Mr. John Smith and Mr. Robert Cottam.
Mr. Helm feelingly returned thanks, and altogether a very enjoyable evening was spent.
Preston Herald   18th December 1875
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NORTH END CRICKET CLUB BALL
This annual gathering, which took place at the Corn Exchange Assembly Room on Monday evening was attended with much success.
The decorations were entrusted to Messrs. Thorp and Nye, and the use of bats, wickets and balls, and other articles used in the game of cricket, added greatly to the adornment of the room.
The band of the Artillery Corps occupied the orchestra.
The refreshment stalls were taken in hand by Mr. Davies, of the Apollo Inn, and Mrs. Walton, confectioner, of Fishergate.
Mr. Thomas Wareing officiated as master of ceremonies, and throughout nothing occurred which could in any way mar the harmony of the proceedings.
Preston Herald   22nd December 1875
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JUVENILE FREE GARDENERS, ANNUAL FIELD DAY.
The annual field day celebration in connection with the above society was held in a field adjoining the Golden Ball, Longton, on Saturday.
The members and friends commenced to assemble at their Head Quarters, the Apollo Inn, North Road, a full half hour previous to the time fixed for the procession to start, and about 1,500 persons took part in the proceedings of the day.
The procession moved away about 2 o'clock, and it presented a very effective appearance. The music was provided by the Walton-le-dale Reed Band, and the handsome double-poled banner of the Order was carried in front. The procession proceeded along North Road, Ormskirk Road, Lancaster Road, and Fishergate, to the West Lancashire Railway Station, where two special trains were waiting to convey the party to their destination. Having supplied the children with refreshments, a programme of events was gone through, ranging from running, to dancing, footballing, and cricketing, and which was kept up until about 8 o'clock, when the company retired to the Golden Ball, where the host, Mr. Jos. Hull, had quite unexpectedly laid out a very nice cold collation.
The party arrived in Preston about 9 o'clock, having had a thoroughly enjoyable day out, and thus brought to a close one of the most successful excursions that has ever left the West Lancashire Station.
Preston Herald   20th July 1887
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Sales by Auction
THIS DAY (WEDNESDAY) at Three o'clock
MESSRS. THOMAS DEWHURST and SON.
will Sell by Auction, at their Salerooms, 122 Fishergate, Preston,
the PRESTON BREWERY, ODDFELLOWS' ARMS, VOLUNTEER INN, APOLLO INN, LIME KILN INN, NORTH-WESTERN HOTEL, THEATRE HOTEL, THE RIFLEMAN, SOUTH MEADOW TAVERN, GUILD TAVERN, MARINERS' HOME, HEN AND CHICKENS, ROYAL OAK, BERBY ARMS, and the JOINERS' ARMS.
Preston Herald   15th August 1894
Presumably, all these places were owned by the Preston Brewery.
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Lancashire Evening Post -  26th August 1957

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Lancashire Evening Post - 9th October 1957

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CENSUS RETURNS

1841

Septimus Blackhurst                     50 years                   Innkeeper

Jane Blackhurst                            50                            Wife

Henrietta Blackhurst                     20                            Daughter
Mary Townsend                           55 
Ann Lingart                                  15                             
Jane Lingart                                   5

1851

1861
Edward Yates                              37 years                   Publican                      b. Preston
Ellen Yates                                   38                            Wife                                  do
Thomas Yates                              19                            Son                                   do

1871
William Davis                               26 years                  Innkeeper                   b. Edgerley, Shropshire
Margaret Davis                            36                           Wife                           b. Salmesbury

1881
George Gaunt                             49 years                   Publican                      b. Northwich
Mary Gaunt                                24                            Daughter                     b. Preston
Sarah Gaunt                                22                           Daughter                              do
John Gaunt                                 18                            Son                                      do
William Gaunt                             16                            Son                                      do
George B. Gaunt                         14                           Son                                     do
Thomas Gaunt                             11                           Son                                     do
Alfred Cordon                             19                           Step-son                    b. Manchester
Rachel Cordon                            17                           Step-daughter                      do
Anne Cordon                              15                            Step-daughter                     do

1891
Henry Turner                              41 years                  Publican                      b. Walton-le-dale
Jane Turner                                 42                          Wife                            b. Preston
Elizabeth Turner                          10                           Daughter                            do
Robert Turner                              8                            Son                                    do
Henry Turner                               6                            Son                                    do
Paul Turner                                  1                            Son                                    do

1901
James Mercer                            36 years                   Publican                      b. Preston
Ann Mercer                               41                            Wife                                   do
Mary A. Mercer                          6                            Daughter                             do

1911
James Mercer                           45 years                    Publican                     b. Preston
Ann Mercer                              52                            Wife / Assistant                   do
Mary Alice Mercer                   17                        Daughter / Milliner                   do
Kate Boyle                               18                         Domestic Servant                   do

 

1921

James Mercer                            56 years           Licensed Victualler            b. Preston

Ann Mercer                               63                     Wife / Home duties           b.  Chipping

Mary Alice Christopher            27                            Daughter                     b. Preston

Thomas Alfred Christopher      23              Son-in-law /  Engineer             b. Southport 

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