Boundary Stone 47m North-West of the Fire Station

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Overview

A C17 boundary stone marking the former boundary of the Borough of Penzance. One of a pair that survive from an original group of four. Read the official list entry to find out more.

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1408102
Date first listed:: 23-Feb-2012
List Entry Name:: Boundary Stone 47m North-West of the Fire Station

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1408102
Date first listed:: 23-Feb-2012
List Entry Name:: Boundary Stone 47m North-West of the Fire Station
Location Description:: Boundary Stone Approx. 47m NW of the Fire Station. Near the junction of St Clare Street and Nancealverne, on the north-east side.

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

Location

The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.

District:: Cornwall (Unitary Authority)
Parish:: Penzance
National Grid Reference:: SW4661430827

Summary

A C17 boundary stone marking the former boundary of the Borough of Penzance. One of a pair that survive from an original group of four.

Reasons for Designation

The boundary stone 47m north-west of the fire station, Nancealverne, Penzance, Cornwall is designated at Grade II, for the following principal reasons: * Intactness: it is a good example of a C17 borough boundary stone; * Historic interest: it illustrates the establishment of local government in this part of Cornwall; * Group value: it has strong group value with the other surviving boundary stone.

History

James I granted a charter for the Borough of Penzance in 1614, and four inscribed stones were erected in 1687 to determine where the boundary was crossed by the main roads into the Borough. These were located at Chyandour, Chapel St Clare, Alverton and Wherrytown, costing £1 19s 6d to make and £1 10s 0d to erect. As late as the mid-C19 the stones were used as markers for a traditional race carried out by Penzance councillors called "beating the bounds".

One of the stones was removed when Alverton Road was widened, and a memorial plaque was erected nearby in 1867. The stone in Wherrytown is thought to have been removed during the development of the Esplanade. The stones at Chyandour and Chapel St Clare remain in situ.

Details

The boundary stone is set within a stone wall, at the rear of the footpath on the east side of St Clare Street. It is constructed of granite, rectangular on plan with a rounded top. The stone is 64cm tall. There are rectangular recesses on three faces, where the stone has been cut back to leave a raised inscription, which reads: P 16 87. The lettering is rounded and worn. There is a broad bench mark at the top of the front face and a metal pin in the top.

Sources

None.

Legal

This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.