Brighton forgets that it once had two Crimean cannon in the park known as The Old Steine. Originally a fishing village, the town developed with the first tourists as a result of the efforts of Dr Richard Russel MD. He published his dissertation in the 18th century and this initiated the 'sea water cure' at the resort. Following this George, Prince of Wales, who became the Prince Regent in 1811, built the Brighton Pavilion that originated as an old farmhouse. A key issue was it being the nearest coastal point to the London metropolis. The railway arrived in mid-Victorian times and the day tripper became a reality. The Steine was a popular green park in which to promenade and which housed many decorative structures as well as events and markets.



In the print above two Crimean Cannon are decorating the park entrance. Today there is no sign of them and so perhaps they went for scrap metal during World War II. The Victoria Fountain illustrated does survive at the southern end of The Steine. Our research continues....