Rowland Hill, Oldham Street

Former Rowland Hill, Oldham Street (c) googlemaps.

This fine looking building at 87 Oldham Street has long intruiged me with its distinctive light blue and yellow frontage and '87 Henry Jabob 87' lettering.  It's no surprise to learn that the building (or a previous version thereof) was once a pub.  As shown on the 1849 map, the Rowland Hill pub was two doors up from The King (today's Northern), and what is now Atlanic House was two premises in the mid 19th century [1].  Ironically, 87 Oldham Street is home to the Alcohol and Drug Service, and the Henry Jacob lettering was uncovered during during restoration in recent times [2].  The Rowland Hill was probably named after the British military commander, 1st Viscount Hill, who fought with distinction in the Napoleonic Wars.

Former Rowland Hill, Oldham Street (c) David Smith (dlsmith) at flickr.

1. Manchester (Piccadilly) 1849, Alan Godfrey Maps (2009).
2. http://manchesterhistory.net.