| Description | 21, King Street, Wakefield. Lockup of unknown date
21, King Street was the subject of an archaeological assessment by Chris Constable (WYAAS) in 2005. The field work record sheet, which is held by WYAAS, is summarised below:
Lockup.
Surviving in the wall of the building is a cell door. Constructed of metal (iron?), studded with surface lock to rear, key hole and probable food hatch.
The interior has been considerably changed; modern steel supporting the roof and new window. Possible further door in centre of window (brick in filled, segmental head visible).
Worthy of preservation.
(Giles, C. (WYAS). 2005. 'Wakefield: 21 King Street').
Frontage facing King Street appears to be a single bay extension/rebuild of the 19th or early 20th century clearly added to an earlier two storey brick building. Formal facade in a utilitarian Italianate style of six bays in red brick with ashlar trim on door surrounds with triangular pediment, bevelled plinth capping band, cill bands and cornice. Five bays long with centrally positioned entrance (Lunn, K.R. (WYAAS). 2013: https://maps.google.co.uk/. Web site accessed 20/11/2013).
The origins of the lockup on King Street is briefly mentioned in J.W. Walker's 'Wakefield: its history and people' (1939. Volume II. Page 473). A lock up was used on George Street until 1829; 'when at a vestry meeting on August 6th of that year, it was determined to make a vagrant office and lock up the premises in King Street purchased for that purpose, the alterations to them cost between two and three hundred pounds'.
21, King Street was archaeologically assessed by Karl Lunn (WYAAS) in November 2013. The door could not be identified on the exterior of the building at this time. |