Forums Forums Wirral History : Chasing the Past Wirral History Gibson House, Wallasey

Today I was photographing in the Egremont area and noticed a very big, abandoned, building between Blenheim Road and Maddock Road. It has "danger asbestos" notices all over it. I am wondering what is the history of the place? From the style and type of brick I will guess built around 1900 or a bit before. From the size I will guess a school or the like. It is surely FAR too big to be residential.

Snod

At first it thought it could have been the same place?
But after looking at the details?
Nope..

The B&W photo is of the old Mariner's Home on the Egremont Prom., with four "old salts" enjoying well-earned retirement.
Anyone any idea when it was demolished ??

Heh me and Totopop know this building well... can't help you on the history of it though.

The building is just the other side of the road (Maddock Road) from the Mariners Home.

I did some research today and the building I photographed was the Andrew Gibson Home for Seamen's Widows. The building was donated for the purpose by a Liverpool shipping mangate. It was built in 1906 and dedicated by two sons in memory of their father. It cost £25,000 to build - which is a HUGE amount for 1906 (about £5 million based on todays prices and a conversion based on average earnings). Consider that at that date a typical church could be built for around £6000. The building itself is also HUGE. I walked around the front/ side / back today and was amazed at just how big it is

Snod

Before it was closed down, it was an old peoples home, we know that much.

And Toto believe's it is haunted from his own experience.

I can believe the latter - was spooky enough on a dull morning. Inside on a dark night - oo er. And if you cough the falling asbestos dust will probably get you anyway.

Great shame for a building like that to remain all closed up and neglected. The views out over the Mersey must be spectacular. I wonder who owns it now and what are the plans for the future? Before the recent downturn in property values I suppose it could have been earmarked for demolitiion and yuppy appartments. However, a place riddled with asbestos will cost two arms and legs to dismantle/ dispose of safely so I suppose the owners will just let the place rot even more until property prices swing up again.

Snod

did we not have a thread about this building, I remember taking pics and posting them up.

and from the pics I posted Im sure we all agreed that it was the same building as the b&w one. just the other side (the river side) of what is shown above.

Looks very different from the back on the old mariners home home pictures:

this is 2 story + roof space


this is 3 story + roof space

Hence my point it looks very different

And i said this in post 2 lol

I will ask my dad for info if he has any.....he was brought up in Trafalger Ave.A great aunt lived even closer!

I will ask them for their memories etc when I see them this week.

I vaguely remember the home as a kid......The green hill etc..happy days