Local History Stories to read: Discover Liverpool

Ken regularly includes new articles about Liverpool or Merseyside local history topics, so log on regularly to see what new stories are available. Here is Ken's latest selection ~

Freaks, Frights, and Fantasies ~ Reynold's Wax Museum

Over the centuries Liverpool has been able to entertain its people, and visitors to the City, with a remarkable range of varies attractions, performance, and exhibitions. Perhaps though, one of the most bizarre was this one ...

The Mass Graves of Old Swan

Even today, Government and other official authorities and agencies deny that this event, in 1973, ever took place. This is despite many people who are still prepared to come forward and attest to its authenticity, and the very limited photographic evidence. Decide for yourself what you think ...

Huyton Interment Camp

This is a story of how the people of Huyton helped to improve the lives and fortunes of some World War Two prisoners in their own community ...

The Adelphi ~ Liverpool’s ‘Grand Hotel’

Three hotels named 'Adelphi' have stood on the site overlooking Ranelagh Place in Liverpool, including the present building. This is their story ...

A Dictator Comes to Liverpool

This is one of the most controversial stories to have come out of Liverpool from World War Two: I shall leave it up to you to decide whether or not you believe it ...

St Patrick's Cross ~ Over 1,000 Years of Pilgrimage

There are many sites of Christian pilgrimage throughout Europe, but few can be older than Saint Patrick’s Cross, in Liverpool. Located now in a tiny and obscure cul-de-sac known as Standish Street, which sits off Crosshall Street in the city centre, can be found a small, beautifully-maintained garden. It is here, many people believe, that in AD 432, and on the instructions of Pope Celestine, St Patrick preached his final sermon before setting sail on a treacherous voyage to Ireland, to convert the people there to Christianity.

The Liver Building Birds and Their True Designer

Most people assume that the famous Liver Birds, which stand on the domes on the Royal Liver Building, where designed and built by the architect of the building ~ Walter Aubrey Thomas: However, this is most certainly not the case, and the story of their true designer is one of sadness and denial.

The Punch and Judy People of Merseyside

Many of us remember the days when the Punch and Judy Show regularly performed, up to the 1970s, at the junction of St John's Lane and Lime Street. Others will remember it when it moved to Williamson Square, and then later, in the Albert Dock. Who were the 'Punch and Judy People'? What is their story?

William Hutchinson ~ Liverpool’s Remarkable Dock Master

We owe so much to William Hutchinson, indeed, many people owe him their lives, and yet most people have never heard of this remarkable, Liverpool pioneer.

Eastham Ferry Pleasure Gardens

Of course, significant and popular p[laces of entertainment served the public all over Merseyside. One of the most popular though, was at Eastham on the Wirral coast of the Mersey.