George Soudon Bridgman

George Soudon Bridgman was an architect and civil engineer, active in the late 19th century in Torquay, Devon and the local area.[2] He is best known for his work in the seaside resort of Paignton, designing Oldway Mansion and Paignton Pier within that town, as well as designing the sea wall and promenade at Paignton Beach. He was part of several other local projects and was considered as being so significant to the development of the town, that he became known as 'the Father of Paignton'.[3][4]

George Soudon Bridgman
Born1839
Died1925 (aged 85–86)
NationalityEnglish
OccupationArchitect
ChildrenNorman George Bridgman.[1]
BuildingsOldway Mansion, Paignton Pier

Life

Bridgman was born in 1839 and died in 1925.[5]

He was a freemason who gave a site for new lodge premises in Paignton and laid the foundation stone along with the secretary of the lodge on 15 April 1891.[6]

He was buried in Paignton Municipal Cemetery.[7]

Work

Oldway Mansion

Around 1871 Bridgman was commissioned by Isaac Merrit Singer, who was the founder of the Singer Sewing Machine Company, to construct a mansion on land recently purchased by the latter in Paignton. As well as the mansion, he designed a circular riding pavilion, later be termed 'The Wigwam' by Singer.[8]

Paignton Pier

Bridgman was commissioned by a local Paignton barrister, Arthur Hyde Dendy, to design a pier for the town. The construction was begun in 1878[4] to his design, and the pier opened in 1879.[9] It remains standing to this day, and continues to be popular with both locals and visitors to the resort.

St Marychurch Town Hall

In 1866, Bridgman received a prize of £25 for his design for a new town hall for St Marychurch. The hall cost £2,718 2s 6d to build and opened in November 1883.[10] As of 2018, the town hall building houses flats.

References
  1. "Dictionary of Scottish Architects - DSA Architect Biography Report". www.scottisharchitects.org.uk. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
  2. "George Soudon Bridgeman". www.parksandgardens.org. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
  3. Holpin, Gary (15 April 2014). Britain’s Heritage Coast: Exmouth to Plymouth. Amberley Publishing Limited. ISBN 9781445621579.
  4. "Virtual Learning at Paignton Community and Sports College. - Paignton Online". www.paigntononline.com. Archived from the original on 27 November 2018. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
  5. "Dictionary of Scottish Architects - DSA Architect Biography Report (November 26, 2018, 9:01 pm)". www.scottisharchitects.org.uk. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
  6. "Our History - Miles Coverdale Lodge No. 5069, Paignton, Devon". www.milescoverdalelodge.org.uk. Archived from the original on 2 September 2018. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
  7. "George Soudon Bridgman grave monument details at Municipal 2 Cemetery, Paignton, Devon,England". www.gravestonephotos.com. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
  8. "Oldway Mansion". Torquay - A Local Guide. 11 January 2016. Archived from the original on 29 September 2017. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
  9. "The Pier - Paignton Pier". Paignton Pier. Archived from the original on 15 October 2017. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
  10. "The Town Hall | Babbacombe & St Marychurch Local History Society". www.babbacombelhs.org.uk. Archived from the original on 10 February 2017. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
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