Walking up the Grand Staircase

A young lad climbs the stairs up to the first floor.

The staircase was originally lit by Skidmore's gas lighting before being converted to electric lighting in the 1880s.

In the background you can see some surviving gilt Fleur de Lys wallpaper.

Criminally, much of the original, hand-crafted wallpaper was destroyed when it was painted over after the hotel closed..

[June 2003]

photos ©urban75 2003