Local history archive sheds light on forgotten cottages
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Oil Painting 9” x 6”
Label on back reads “Folly Lane” Potters Bar from M.C.A. Dec.25 1909
Image from the Peter Miller Collection
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An antique oil painting discovered by an archivist on the North Mymms History Project (NMHP) has helped identify the site of a pair of cottages that once stood along Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms (once known as Folly Lane).
The cottages, which were built before the railway was constructed, stood to the south of Hawkshead Lane, east of the bridge.
The oil painting, dated 1909, is believed to be the only known image of the pair of cottages which were once the home of agricultural workers and later signalmen working on the nearby line.
Local historian and archivist, Peter Miller, has been researching the history of the cottages. His report entitled Hawkshead Bridge Cottages on the NMHP site includes old maps and associated records.
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| A similar view of the bridge along Hawkshead Lane in 2019 The former site of the cottages has been levelled and is part of the field Image by North Mymms News released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 |
