Changing Times
The postcard illustration above is dated 1917 although it is not known whether this was the date that the painting was made although it is certainly later than 1904, the year in which the War Memorial was unveiled. It was later moved a few yards northwards to allow for road widening.
Dating from a more serene age, although at the time the card was sent World War One was underway, the picture has an air of calm relaxation with horsedrawn carriages and early motor cars on Kings Road.
In the background we see bathing machines lined up on the beach waiting for customers, and the bandstand which remains to this day.
In the picture from September 2000, below, we see that the kiosk that was on the western side of the entrance to the West Pier has been demolished, although the matching one on the eastern side remains, and the entrance and exit ramps that were created for the car park which was created under the square in the 1960s.
The building which can be seen at the south-west corner of Regency Square (1 Regency Square/131 Kings Road) had a colourful period immediately after it had been built.
Originally designed by Amon Wilds it was named Regency House. Between 1830 and 1837 the building was occupied by the Duchesss of St Albans, an actress turned socialite. Harriot Mellon had risen from a poor background and aged 35 married an 80 year old multi-millionaire, Thomas Coutts, the banker.
Harriot was left the richest woman in Europe, with an inheritance of several million pounds, when Coutts died seven years after they were married. She later married the ninth Duke of St Albans when he was barely more than a teenager. The couple renamed the house St. Albans House and for a time it became the centre for the town's social life with lavish parties and entertainment on a grand scale.
The Duchess died in 1837 shortly after leaving Brighton.