Above postcard, 1907.

Above photo, circa 1947, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

The Sphere, Saturday 18 September 1954.

AN OLD INN IS REFURNISHED IN KEEPING WITH ITS AGE.

 The "Black Lion Inn" at Southfleet, Kent, where the licensee, Mrs. Blanche C. Peacock, is gradually refurnishing the house with old-style pieces. This is more in keeping with the old inn, whose history dates back 500 years.

Originally a tithe bam, then part of a row of cottages, and later still a coaching inn, the "Black Lion" has one door of the Elizabethan period. Since Mrs. Peacock began her alterations she has found pewter tankards in the inn's cupboards; these are now displayed in the dining-room. The thatched roof is surmounted by one of the most prominent symbols of the modem age—a television aerial.

Above photo showing licensee Mrs Peacock on 6th September 1954 serving one of the regulars.

Above photo, circa 1958.

Above photo 1988, kindly sent by Philip Dymott.

Above sign date unknown.

Above photo 2009 by N Chadwick Creative Commons Licence.

Above photo, 2009.

Above photo by Samuel Marshall. Permission for use pending.

London Evening Standard 18 July 1896.

RECEIVING ORDERS.

Henry Mitchell, Red-Street, late of "Black Lion," Red-Street, Southfleet, Kent, market gardener, formerly beerhouse keeper.

Daily Mirror, Saturday 6 October 1962.

Spirit level.

Tall customers at the low ceilinged "Black Lion" pub in Southfleet, Kent, will soon drink in greater comfort. The floor is being lowered 9 inches.

From the http://news.bbc.co.uk 20 January 2009.

17th Century pub damaged in fire.

A 17th Century pub in Kent has been seriously damaged in a fire.

Fire crews were called to the "Black Lion," in Red Street, Southfleet, at 0120 GMT following reports that the timber-framed building was alight.

Kent Fire and Rescue said trying to control the fire was made difficult because of its thatched roof and the speed with which the fire spread.

Crews were still at the scene damping down on Tuesday morning. The cause of the fire is being investigated.

It was tackled at its height by 40 firefighters from across north Kent.

Incident commander Phil Rice said: "It was a long pub and the seat of the fire was somewhere in the middle, but unfortunately it spread pretty quickly to either side.

"The pub had a thatched roof, which didn't help as once fire has taken hold of the thatch it is very difficult to put out.

"There was also a chimney stack right in the middle of the building which eventually collapsed."

From the http://www.newsshopper.co.uk 22 January 2009.

SOUTHFLEET: Teenager arrested over Black Lion pub fire.

The historic Black Lion pub was badly damaged in the fire

POLICE investigating a fire at the "Black Lion" pub in Red Street, Southfleet, have arrested and bailed a man.

The 19-year-old, from Dartford, was arrested on Tuesday (January 20) and questioned by detectives.

He was released on police bail on Wednesday (January 21) pending further inquiries.

A joint investigation is under way by Kent police and Kent Fire and Rescue Service into the blaze which badly damaged the pub in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Flames spread quickly, resulting in a partial collapse of the building.

A spokesman for Scottish and Newcastle Pub Enterprises, which own the building, said: "The Black Lion was a beautiful old, partly-thatched pub in an attractive village setting and its destruction by fire is a great loss to us and to the local community.

“It had recently been taken over by a new landlord who had been warmly welcomed by villagers and customers.”

The spokesman added: “The pub has been extensively damaged by the fire, fortunately no-one was hurt.

“We are working closely with the emergency services in order to make the fire damaged site safe and secure so the fire service and police can continue to carry out their investigations. We thank them for their help in this matter.

“We would also like to thank local people for their support and kind wishes.”

The spokesman could not confirm if the company would be able to repair the historic building.

They said: “It is too early to say what will happen.

We need to get investigation teams there to assess the damage to the building then we will be able to have a bit of a clearer picture.”

The cause of the blaze is being treated as suspicious.

If you have information which may help with their inquiries, call Detective Sergeant Dave Masters at north Kent police station on 01474 366098 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.