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Victoria Buildings
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Built in 1888
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Like most of Rushden, the land was formerly farm land. This area was owned by George Denton, of Denton shoe manufacturers, and he sold it in the late 1880s.
The plot was purchased by Wallis Wilkerson, possibly the first chemist or druggist to trade here. He built the row of 5 shops with living accommodation above, and moved into No. 118a, the corner property, in 1888. [Note the entrance was in Victoria Road, so perhaps originally this was part of Victoria Road.] Within a year the row was badly damaged in a fire, (which had started at 110 High Street, although un-numbered at that time). It must have been repaired quite soon after as W J Sedgman, tailor was trading there and is mentioned in 1891 Industries of Rushden. [that gives the name of the row] A court case 1892 was in dispute with Harry Knight who had drawn the plans for the rebuilding. Occupiers of the shops traced are :
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