Stonehouse Research

The History of Stonehouse
Whilst it is not clear it seems the area of Stonehouse got its name from a stone house, or crematorium which was built by the Romans and named by the Saxons. Another idea is that the land is related to Robert the Bastard.
The area then passed into the hands of the Durnford family for the 14th to 16th century until the 17th century.
From the 1600's to the 1800's the area was one of the wealthiest in Devon, the home of the admirals, doctors and clergy of Plymouth. The area around Union Street however started to fall into disrepute, becoming the "Red Light District" and for almost a century the cities hub of drinking, entertainment and other attractions.

Palace Theatre Interior - 1982 - Palace Theatre Exterior -1909

This was until WWII where much of the Union Street area was destroyed, only a few buildings were left, one of these was the Palace Theatre which still stands now, abet in a poor state of disrepair. In recent history the building was used as a club, "The Dance Academy" before being closed down by the police, in the first drug related closure of a club ever in the UK.
Previously the building was used as a bingo hall from the 1960's to the 1980's and before that was used as a theatre. The building is listed and one of the 10 most endangered Victorian buildings in Britain.

Dance Academy Exterior - 2006 - Dance Academy Interior - Aug 2009

The rest of the Stonehouse area was was turned into low-rent industrial estate, populated with mainly car dealerships, factories and storage. Until 2002 where it was redeveloped into high density residents.
The Royal William Fort area started life as a place to store food for the Royal Navy and was closed down in 1992. The Grade I listed building is now in the process of being redeveloped into high end housing and restaurants.

Stonehouse 1820 - Prior to construction of Royal William Fort

I feel the area of Stonehouse needs a big regeneration, especially in the area south of Union Street, this area houses most of the factories and empty space in the Stonehouse area.