19th Century Prison History : 19th Century Prison Search

Argyle Street Bridewell Liverpool

Overview

Location   1 Campbell Square, Argyle Street  Liverpool

County   Lancashire

Year Opened   Approx 1864

Year Closed   1930s

Century of Operation   1800-1899, 1900-1999

Remarks   The Argyll Street Bridewell was originally built around 1864. The Bridewell covered the marine area of Liverpool the haunts of prostitutes thieves and vagabonds.

ExteriorPhoto © Stephen Richards (cc-by-sa/2.0)

Further information can be found at
https://www.prisonhistory.org/lockup/argyle-street-bridewell-liverpool/

Descriptions

  • 'In 1905 the Head Constables report to the Watch Committee regarding the state of repair to police stations and Bridewells in the City is described as follows: "Argyle Street, Bridewell and Fire Station. Cost land, old Corporation Estate, building £2675 (it does not say when it was built). A Very old-fashioned place, but short of rebuilding there are only some minor points in which improvements might be made. The cells (7 in number with a monthly average of 107 prisoners) have been refloored recently with asphalt. There's no bathroom in the Bridewell Sergeants house."'
    Shaun R. Rothwell, 'Argyle Street Bridewell - Liverpool City Police' (http://liverpoolcitypolice.co.uk/argyle-street-bridewell/4564426432)

  • 'Police Station. c1850. Brick with stone dressings, slate roof.2 storeys and 3 bays. Stone plinth, 1st floor sill course, top frieze and cornice: Centre bay projects and forms base of short tower. Ground floor windows have stone lintels and all windows are sashed with glazing bars. Entrance on return of centre bay has rusticated architrave with lion's head to keystone, stone plaque above. '
    Historic England, National Heritage List for England, 'The Old Bridewell... Argyle Street', LEN 1068393

Sources

  • Shaun R. Rothwell, 'Argyle Street Bridewell - Liverpool City Police'
    http://liverpoolcitypolice.co.uk/argyle-street-bridewell/4564426432
  • Historic England, National Heritage List for England, 'The Old Bridewell... Argyle Street', LEN 1068393
    https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1068393