Hi can anyone tell me what it used to be

Hi , The Ponderosa used to be Streets and shops / houses - I know this as most of my mums family were from there mainly Wentworth St and a street called Port Mahon . It was all demolished I think in the 1950's - If you go to picture Sheffield there are loads of photo's of the area - look under Netherthorpe . If you can get a pre 1950 map of the area you will see all the streets on there





The World's gone mad and i've lost touch

Fair bit about Port Mahon at the end of this thread.

http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=299037

When I was a kid (mid to late 40's) we just used to call it the Tip and go sledging on it in the winter. I always thought that it was the embankment to stop the three dams that used to be behind it overflowing.

Think I read somewhere that at one time early 1800's there used to be a racecourse around there.

http://www.picturesheffield.com/cgi-bin/picturesheffield.pl?_cgifunction=form&_layout=picturesheffield&keyval=sheff.refno=s03554

I knew it as The Tip, too, but the above picture has recreation ground in the title and I think Crookesmoor "Rec" was an alternative. Only when I was at High Storrs School did I hear some pupils refer to it as the "Ponder".

http://www.picturesheffield.com/cgi-bin/picturesheffield.pl?_cgifunction=form&_layout=picturesheffield&keyval=sheff.refno=s03559

did it used to be a farm years ago

As far as i can remember some of the street names were

Wentworth st
Fawcett st
Bromley st
Bellfield st
Watery lane
Hammond st
Hammond hill
Bethel st
that's as far as i can remember at the momement also think that Crooksmoor rec (TIP ) and the ponderosa are two separate fields as the tip has been there for years and ponderosa only since the sixties when all the old house's were demolished

It was called The Tip when I lived in that area,there were never any houses or shops on it.I remember a football pitch at the bottom end and to the right was a playground.also part of Crookesmoor school was just past the playground.the rest was just spare ground.

my nan is 90 and she seems to think before she was born there was a house at the top and they had farm animals

http://www.picturesheffield.com/cgi-bin/picturesheffield.pl?_ I wonder if this is what she's thinking of i remember my gran telling me of a big house on fawcett st .Fawcett street was at the bottom of Bromley st and the TIP was at the top looking at this old photo it could be all of the same field. Hope the link works first time iv'e tried

http://www.picturesheffield.com/cgi-bin/picturesheffield.pl?_ I wonder if this is what she's thinking of i remember my gran telling me of a big house on fawcett st .Fawcett street was at the bottom of Bromley st and the TIP was at the top looking at this old photo it could be all of the same field. Hope the link works first time iv'e tried

No, sorry. Is this it? http://www.picturesheffield.com/cgi-bin/picturesheffield.pl?_cgifunction=form&_layout=picturesheffield&keyval=sheff.refno=y00749

Thank you i will get it right with practice

thanks ive been trying to get a picture my nan said her great grandfather used to live there

As far as i can remember some of the street names were

Wentworth st
Fawcett st
Bromley st
Bellfield st
Watery lane
Hammond st
Hammond hill
Bethel st
that's as far as i can remember at the momement also think that Crooksmoor rec (TIP ) and the ponderosa are two separate fields as the tip has been there for years and ponderosa only since the sixties when all the old house's were demolished

There was Philadelphia, Burlington, and Oxford streets, too. My father grew up on fawcett St, after moving from broomhall st, and the Ponderosa was "the tip" then, too, the old "prefab" huts were classrooms for the crookesmoor school when my dad was young.

There was Philadelphia, Burlington, and Oxford streets, too. My father grew up on fawcett St, after moving from broomhall st, and the Ponderosa was "the tip" then, too, the old "prefab" huts were classrooms for the crookesmoor school when my dad was young.

All the streets that i have named are the street's that were there on the site were the ponderosa is now The tip was there long before the ponderosa Bringing back memories this

There was (from my youth) and still is the Tip and the Ponderosa. The tip was the top part, very steep on one side and great for sledging down. We used to play rounders on the Tip too when I was at Crookesmoor School.

The "Ponda" was the nicely manicured middle and bottom grassed areas with paths around them and splitting them, they even had street lighting which is more than the Tip did.

HTH

Angi

There was (from my youth) and still is the Tip and the Ponderosa. The tip was the top part, very steep on one side and great for sledging down. We used to play rounders on the Tip too when I was at Crookesmoor School.

The "Pona" was the nicely manicured middle and bottom grassed areas with paths around them and splitting them, they even had street lighting which is more than the Tip did.

HTH

Angi

The " Tip " or Crookesmoor rec , started from Crookes Valley Road right the way down to Wentworth Street , as the picture below shows, which was taken in the early 50's
http://citysnapper.org/dm/otherpics/pu/crookesrec.jpg

when I was at Crookesmoor school ( I left in 1959 ) we played football on the "bottom pitch " which was at the top of Wentworth St., cricket was played on the "middle pitch " ( girls played rounders ) which was right along side of Bromley St , and field athletics were on the "top pitch " eg. running, discus , high jump, javelin , pole vault .And sledging down the "death track " after school in the winter ! I lived next door to the shop in Bromley Street which is shown in the photo .

The photo below shows the same area taken in the year 2000

http://citysnapper.org/dm/sheff2000/01/picdm18.jpg

The " Big house " on Fawcett Street which lexia has mentioned was apparently a "school for young ladies ". It must have been demolished in the late 1800's because my Grandfather was born on Fawcett Street in 1875 .

The " Tip " or Crookesmoor rec , started from Crookes Valley Road right the way down to Wentworth Street , as the picture below shows, which was taken in the early 50's
http://citysnapper.org/dm/otherpics/pu/crookesrec.jpg

when I was at Crookesmoor school ( I left in 1959 ) we played football on the "bottom pitch " which was at the top of Wentworth St., cricket was played on the "middle pitch " ( girls played rounders ) which was right along side of Bromley St , and field athletics were on the "top pitch " eg. running, discus , high jump, javelin , pole vault .And sledging down the "death track " after school in the winter ! I lived next door to the shop in Bromley Street which is shown in the photo .

The photo below shows the same area taken in the year 2000

http://citysnapper.org/dm/sheff2000/01/picdm18.jpg

The " Big house " on Fawcett Street which lexia has mentioned was apparently a "school for young ladies ". It must have been demolished in the late 1800's because my Grandfather was born on Fawcett Street in 1875 .

the prefab-y buildings in the foreground are the classrooms I mentioned in my post above.

To the right of the pic is St Stephen's Church, Netherthorpe, where my grandparents married in the 1930's.

the prefab-y buildings in the foreground are the classrooms I mentioned in my post above.

To the right of the pic is St Stephen's Church, Netherthorpe, where my grandparents married in the 1930's.

Plaintalker , I actually went in those " prefab-y buildings "when they were classrooms , as I have stated , I went to Crookesmoor school up to 1959.
Our eldest daughter was Christened at St.Stephen 's church in 1964. My father went to St.Stephen's school as did my Grandfather and Grandmother.

All the streets mentioned were not actually on the tip they were all streets in the surrounding area.We played on the tip from the mid forties and through the fifties before the slum clearance as it was called.
We would walk from Watery Lane across what was called The hollow or as was so often called (oller) I think it was Fawsett Street up to the playground then from the playground further across the Tip play rolly polly down the hills at the top end then across the road to the two parks Weston Park and the other one with the boating lake.

All the streets mentioned were not actually on the tip they were all streets in the surrounding area.We played on the tip from the mid forties and through the fifties before the slum clearance as it was called.
We would walk from Watery Lane across what was called The hollow or as was so often called (oller) I think it was Fawsett Street up to the playground then from the playground further across the Tip play rolly polly down the hills at the top end then across the road to the two parks Weston Park and the other one with the boating lake.

That would be Crookes Valley Park.

Thank you chairboy,quite right.

All the streets mentioned were not actually on the tip they were all streets in the surrounding area.We played on the tip from the mid forties and through the fifties before the slum clearance as it was called.
We would walk from Watery Lane across what was called The hollow or as was so often called (oller) I think it was Fawsett Street up to the playground then from the playground further across the Tip play rolly polly down the hills at the top end then across the road to the two parks Weston Park and the other one with the boating lake.

That would be Fawcett St, by the hollow.

All the streets mentioned were not actually on the tip they were all streets in the surrounding area


All the streets mentioned were on the actual site were the Ponderosa is now. I lived at the bottom of Bromley st until the houses were demolished 1963 1964

I used to live on St Philips Road opposite the White Hart up to 1962-3 when they pulled the houses down for slum clearance - the Ponderosa was the grassy area which covered all those streets mentioned.

Had some great times on the tip - in summer sliding down the steep banks on pieces of cardboard - in winter, sledging

That would be Fawcett St, by the hollow.

No, that would be the olla. The olla was the the part of Fawcett st that ran from the bottom of Mushroom lane to Wentworth st. Still Fawcett st but known locally as the olla

Here's a map of the Ponderosa from 1905

http://www.g7smy.myby.co.uk/ponderosa1905.png

As you can see, only the area that's now the football pitch was the only green space.

I think the Crookes Valley Road embankment was built to allow trams up into Walkley, not to stop flooding from the three dams.

And, the area is known as Port Mahon on the map, but the Ponderosa by everyone else. I been told it got the name from the TV show Bonanza shortly after the houses were cleared.

K.

Here's a map of the Ponderosa from 1905

http://www.g7smy.myby.co.uk/ponderosa1905.png

As you can see, only the area that's now the football pitch was the only green space.

I think the Crookes Valley Road embankment was built to allow trams up into Walkley, not to stop flooding from the three dams.

And, the area is known as Port Mahon on the map, but the Ponderosa by everyone else. I been told it got the name from the TV show Bonanza shortly after the houses were cleared.

K.


fantastic map, Karl. thanks for sharing it. Just been poring over it with great anticipation, looking at the locations of my great grandparents' and my grandparents' homes on Fawcett Street and Summer Street.

Here's a map of the Ponderosa from 1905

http://www.g7smy.myby.co.uk/ponderosa1905.png

As you can see, only the area that's now the football pitch was the only green space.

I think the Crookes Valley Road embankment was built to allow trams up into Walkley, not to stop flooding from the three dams.

And, the area is known as Port Mahon on the map, but the Ponderosa by everyone else. I been told it got the name from the TV show Bonanza shortly after the houses were cleared.

K.

Thanks for the map - and as far as I know what you say about the embankment and the name "Ponderosa" is spot on.

I have asked before to no avail but as this thread is about an area very close to St Phillips Rd I wondered if anyone posting knows of anywhere there are pictures of the area around Brook Hill roundabout- particularly Sarah St-: before the slum clearances (1960).I have tried PictureSheffield and Sheffield Archives.All I have is a map.:help:

I have asked before to no avail but as this thread is about an area very close to St Phillips Rd I wondered if anyone posting knows of anywhere there are pictures of the area around Brook Hill roundabout- particularly Sarah St-: before the slum clearances (1960).I have tried PictureSheffield and Sheffield Archives.All I have is a map.:help:

If you search under " Brook Hill " in Picture Sheffield , there are two photos of Sarah St.

If you search under " Brook Hill " in Picture Sheffield , there are two photos of Sarah St.I have seen these though they only really show the corner of Sarah St and Brook Hill.Thanks anyway.

I lived on Mushroom Lane straight across from the '100 steps' (actually there were only about 47) and went to Crookesmoor School. I walked across the tip, which had three prefs on it, to get to school. My older brothers and sister had classrooms in them when they were at school, but I don't recall that being the case when I went. Apparently in the war, barrage ballons were held on the tip and one escaped one day and floated away leaving a path of destruction by knocking off many chimney pots etc. I also remember 'the death trap' and remember the 'hollow' which was the road which ran across the bottom of Mushroom Lane and separated the tip from the ponderosa. We used to go shopping down 't'medda' (the meadow.) I just loved living around there and it's great seeing the photos.

I lived on Mushroom Lane straight across from the '100 steps' (actually there were only about 47) and went to Crookesmoor School. I walked across the tip, which had three prefs on it, to get to school. My older brothers and sister had classrooms in them when they were at school, but I don't recall that being the case when I went. Apparently in the war, barrage ballons were held on the tip and one escaped one day and floated away leaving a path of destruction by knocking off many chimney pots etc. I also remember 'the death trap' and remember the 'hollow' which was the road which ran across the bottom of Mushroom Lane and separated the tip from the ponderosa. We used to go shopping down 't'medda' (the meadow.) I just loved living around there and it's great seeing the photos.

Bet thee a tanner thas never sed the 'hollow' in thee life.

Bet thee a tanner thas never sed the 'hollow' in thee life.

:hihi: I like that lexia, they must have been a bit posher at top t' hundred steps , we never said that on Bromley Street :D

hi everybody, I went to crookesmoor school 56 to 61 lived at the weston park hotel end of summer st then the boomerang fawcett st we used the ponder for football ect I remember when the houses were demolished there was a factory still left for quite a while at the bottom end ( down near the back of the old infirmary )

If anyone's interested, and if you have google earth installed, I've created an overlay from that 1905 map.

Here's the link: http://www.g7smy.myby.co.uk/ponderosa1905.kmz

By adjusting the transparency, you can see how things have changed.

K.

PS. Google Earth can be got from here: http://earth.google.com/

When I was a kid (mid to late 40's) we just used to call it the Tip and go sledging on it in the winter. I always thought that it was the embankment to stop the three dams that used to be behind it overflowing.

Think I read somewhere that at one time early 1800's there used to be a racecourse around there.

The racecourse, although not a racecourse as I think we'd understand it now, was in the area now Broomhill between Ecclesall Road and Witham Road (which I think was the 'road' to Manchester)

I walk past the Ponderosa when I'm walking into work when I'm working in Sheffield. It never looks quite right, looks much better in photos with neat rows of terraces on it. Why was it named Ponderosa, I don't see a connexion with the name in any way?

The prefab classrooms later became the *bug huts*. In the top one, there was a youth club, and in the 6 week holidays a club to help keep the kids entertained. My Mum helped out the guy that ran it, who had the name of Cactus Leach, somehow for some reason I can't forget it LOL

The buildings were, if I recall correctly were painted quite garishly.

I lived in Lower Walkley in the 60's and we regulrly played there and joined in the youth club activities in the summer hols. I never heard anybody call it the ponderosa - we always called it the red rec.

My older relatives sed to mention the Hundred steps when talking of the Tip.I think they must have meant the steps at the top which leads to Crookes Valley Rd.I walked up them a few times in the 50's but dont know whether there is actually 100

My older relatives sed to mention the Hundred steps when talking of the Tip.I think they must have meant the steps at the top which leads to Crookes Valley Rd.I walked up them a few times in the 50's but dont know whether there is actually 100

There were not "quite" a hundred Steps there, but it's been called "'t'undred-steps" since time immemorial.

I lived in Lower Walkley in the 60's and we regulrly played there and joined in the youth club activities in the summer hols. I never heard anybody call it the ponderosa - we always called it the red rec.

Must be teh Lower Walkley name then cus for all of us kids that lived at Netherhorpe or Crookesmoor, the area where the huts were was called 'The Tip' and the green grassed area above the infirmary was called The Ponderosa.

Interesting to know if anyoen else called it the Red rec. - if I am not mistaken that was an area that kids in Coronation Street used to play in.

:loopy:The hundred steps led down from Mushroom Lane to Bromley Street.Not the ones leading to Crookes Valley park.

Can anyone tell me, when the 'slums' were demolished were all the occupants sent to the same housing estate, or spread about. A few hints where people went would be good, anyone?

Can anyone tell me, when the 'slums' were demolished were all the occupants sent to the same housing estate, or spread about. A few hints where people went would be good, anyone?
I know a family who went to Oxford Street flats.

Can anyone tell me, when the 'slums' were demolished were all the occupants sent to the same housing estate, or spread about. A few hints where people went would be good, anyone?

The back to back houses that created the 'original' Ponderosa were demolished over a period from the mid to late 50's. The Martin street flats were then built on some of the cleared site (by Gleesons if memory serves) and the building site was a good playground. I spent ages watching them digging out for the foundations and mixing tons and tons of concrete on site

My relatives moved from Martin Street (LH side only demolished during this period) on to the newly formed Gleadless Valley and I believe they were given an option of where they could go.I think Parsons Cross was also a favourite as well.

The back to back houses that created the 'original' Ponderosa were demolished over a period from the mid to late 50's. The Martin street flats were then built on some of the cleared site (by Gleesons if memory serves) and the building site was a good playground. I spent ages watching them digging out for the foundations and mixing tons and tons of concrete on site

My relatives moved from Martin Street (LH side only demolished during this period) on to the newly formed Gleadless Valley and I believe they were given an option of where they could go.I think Parsons Cross was also a favourite as well.

My grandparents, and a lot of their neighbours went to Gleadless Valley when the Fawcett Street area was cleared.

I think quite a few families went to live on the greenhill estate.

My grand parents (on my mothers side) lived in Watery Lane until it was demolished and one of my great grandmothers lived in Martin Street. I.m sure my mum was brought up in Watery Lane and her brother played football on the tip you mentioned. My dad was brought up in Whitehouse Lane. I know my parents were living in Watery Lane when I was born sharing my grand parents house. They were rehoused to Greenhill when it was all pulled down.

My grand parents (on my mothers side) lived in Watery Lane until it was demolished and one of my great grandmothers lived in Martin Street. I.m sure my mum was brought up in Watery Lane and her brother played football on the tip you mentioned. My dad was brought up in Whitehouse Lane. I know my parents were living in Watery Lane when I was born sharing my grand parents house. They were rehoused to Greenhill when it was all pulled down.
My uncle and family lived on Watery Lane from the 1930/40s until the houses were demolished and my mothers family lived on Wentworth street and Matin street in the early 1920s.
Their name is Brindley.

My uncle and family lived on Watery Lane from the 1930/40s until the houses were demolished and my mothers family lived on Wentworth street and Matin street in the early 1920s.
Their name is Brindley.
Wonder if you remember the fruit and veg man called George (or Pudge) with the horse and cart. He was an uncle of a friend of mine and I have a photo of him outside his house on Watery Lane with his horse.

My uncle and family lived on Watery Lane from the 1930/40s until the houses were demolished and my mothers family lived on Wentworth street and Matin street in the early 1920s.
Their name is Brindley.

My grandparents were called Simmonett and they lived at 91 Watery Lane. I'm not sure but I think Ford's lived in the same yard. Most people new my gran her name was Lena (Selina) and she was the Mrs Buffer at Viners.

My Grandmother was Mrs Ford,She lived next door to Elsie and Joe Hobson Elsie was Mr and Mrs Simonites daughter.
For a while we lived next door to Elsie and Joe over the wall on the other side.
I remember everyone who lived in the big yard.Barrie Hobson.barbara Hobson,Mr and Mrs Simmonite,Mrs Dixon,The Hayes Family and Jeffrey Simmonite when he came to visit his relations.
There is a thread somewhere on the forum about all the families getting together for The Festival Of Britain and decorating thei houses even though were under threat of being demolished.

If you take a look at the (one-up one-down) thread number 14.there is a newspaper article about the families and what they did for the Festival Of Britain.

My Grandmother was Mrs Ford,She lived next door to Elsie and Joe Hobson Elsie was Mr and Mrs Simonites daughter.
For a while we lived next door to Elsie and Joe over the wall on the other side.
I remember everyone who lived in the big yard.Barrie Hobson.barbara Hobson,Mr and Mrs Simmonite,Mrs Dixon,The Hayes Family and Jeffrey Simmonite when he came to visit his relations.
There is a thread somewhere on the forum about all the families getting together for The Festival Of Britain and decorating thei houses even though were under threat of being demolished.

If you take a look at the (one-up one-down) thread number 14.there is a newspaper article about the families and what they did for the Festival Of Britain.

ELsie and Joe were my mum and dad, Geoff is my cousin (sadly he passed away last year) and Paul his brother. Eric and Angela Ford live over the back from me. I remember mum mentioning the Dixons not sure about the Hayes but she deifinitely mentioned Nelli Ford. I'll take a look at the newspaper quote

Eric and Angela are my uncle and aunt.Nellie Ford was my Mother.
I think I know who you are and I dont think you were very old when we all left Watery Lane.

Eric and Angela are my uncle and aunt.Nellie Ford was my Mother.
I think I know who you are and I dont think you were very old when we all left Watery Lane.

I'm Barbara and I would have been about 20 months old when we moved. You'll probabley remember my uncle Joe too, Geoff and Paul's dad. I think Geoff and his mum lived in one of the yards when my uncle was in the army. I'm guessing you must have been more his and my brothers' age if you remember them so well.
I looked at the article and was most impressed, I can't ever remember mum telling me about it.

No I was Geoffreys age,he used to visit every Summer if I remember right I don't know where he lived but I don't think it was Sheffield as kids we used to play together all the time when he was in Sheffield.I can remember everything about Watery Lane because I loved it,but asked me what I did last week and I can't remember.
There was a man on the other Sheffield History forum did some research tryng to locate the original newspaper article with the photogragh but no luck I have the original article but no photo.It just goes to show how people have changed they were such nice people
proper neighbours.
I thought you were Barbara but did not like mentioning your real name.

It's so nice that you have such fond memories of him. He was a lovely man. They went to live in Southport when their parents split and they used to come over every summer up to Geoff starting work etc.. He was 10yrs older than me but even though he lived away from Sheffield we were quite close.

Wonder if you remember the fruit and veg man called George (or Pudge) with the horse and cart. He was an uncle of a friend of mine and I have a photo of him outside his house on Watery Lane with his horse.
My aunt, uncle and cousins lived at 9 court, house 3 Watery lane.
I'm sure my cousin would love a copy of the photo taken in the lane if you could let me have a copy please.
My uncle lived at 65 Watery lane when he married and my aunt lived at 5 court, house 1.
They had relatives called Havenhand who lived in the lane.

My Grandmother was Mrs Ford,She lived next door to Elsie and Joe Hobson Elsie was Mr and Mrs Simonites daughter.
For a while we lived next door to Elsie and Joe over the wall on the other side.
I remember everyone who lived in the big yard.Barrie Hobson.barbara Hobson,Mr and Mrs Simmonite,Mrs Dixon,The Hayes Family and Jeffrey Simmonite when he came to visit his relations.
There is a thread somewhere on the forum about all the families getting together for The Festival Of Britain and decorating thei houses even though were under threat of being demolished.

If you take a look at the (one-up one-down) thread number 14.there is a newspaper article about the families and what they did for the Festival Of Britain.
Are you sure the thread is entitled one-up one-down as it is not coming up when I search the forum.

Are you sure the thread is entitled one-up one-down as it is not coming up when I search the forum.

Try "Back to back " as the search parameters, harvey:- I think that's the title you need.

Try "Back to back " as the search parameters, harvey:- I think that's the title you need.
Still no luck !

Still no luck !

No I'm sure it's definitely One Up One Down I found it the other day so I'll try and find it again for you

Still no luck !

Hi Harvey19, Iv'e found it and put a quote on it so it should be one of the first posts of today.;)

Has anyone any photos of Watery Lane besides the one that's on Picture Sheffield ?

I have a few photos of the big yard but none of Watery Lane,I remember the Havenhands but they lived further down the lane from us so did not know them well I think they had a big family.

I have a few photos of the big yard but none of Watery Lane,I remember the Havenhands but they lived further down the lane from us so did not know them well I think they had a big family.

Hi Nellie, which big yard have you photos of ?
Any chance of you posting them on SF or getting a copy of them.
My cousins May and Jack lived in the same court as the Havenhands.
May has tried to reply to you but SF won't let her post replies for some reason.

Hello Harvey The big yard where Havenhands lived was further down the lane from the big yard where my Gran lived so the photos would not help you,and they are mainly photos of the family small black and white so you cannot see much of the surrounding area.

Hello Harvey The big yard where Havenhands lived was further down the lane from the big yard where my Gran lived so the photos would not help you,and they are mainly photos of the family small black and white so you cannot see much of the surrounding area.
Hi Nellie, I'll let her know. Thankyou.