DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Chatham, January, 2022.

Page Updated:- Monday, 03 January, 2022.

PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton

Earliest 1938+

(Name from)

Von Alton

Closed 2004

63 High Street

Chatham

https://whatpub.com/von-alten

Von Alton

Above photo, date unknown.

Von Alton 2004

Above photo 2004.

Von Alton

Above photo, date unknown.

Von Alton 2017

Above photo, 2017, kindly sent by Debi Birkin.

Von Alten sign 1991Von Alten sign 1996

Above sign left, October 1991. Sign right, November 1996.

Thanks from Brian Curtis www.innsignsociety.com.

Von Alten card 1953Von Alten card 1953

Above card issued March 1953. Sign series 4 number 45.

 

I have been informed by Medway CAMRA that the pub above isn't the same premises as the original "Alton Ale House" as it was once called. That house is several buildings further east than where the pub was. They tell me:- "Your initial photo shows the Von Alten at 75 High Street, and further down the High Street is no 63, Alston Ashby Solicitors, the pale green building on the corner."

There also seems to have been another change that I hadn't seen before regarding the name Alton and Alten. The building shows Alton whilst the sign shows Alten.

Further information taken from the Closed Pubs website says the pub was previously known as the "Gaslamp" but as yet I have seen nothing on this at all. Further information infers that it became the "Gas Lamp" after it closed. Perhaps this was a transition page between the "Alton" and "Alten." Local knowledge certainly needed here.

However, the premises is certainly closed as a public house and now functions as a 2 bedroom maisonette.

 

From an email received, 1 January 2022.

"Von Alten" changed to Alten/Alton twice, both because of German association with word Von during two World Wars. It was indeed the "Gas Lamp," and was trading as such probably around 20/25 years ago. It is the original, there was no other. Behind the pub started the 2nd great fire of Chatham, alarm raised by Royal Marines aboard ship moored behind. Sparks from that set fire to hay stacks on Maidstone Road.

Dave Smeed.

 

So looks like a difference of opinion as to whether there have been two buildings with this same name. It probably has something to do with changes in road numbering. Local knowledge required.

 

LICENSEE LIST

HOBART Henry 1891+

BROWN Stephen William 1903+

SHRUBB William Robert 1913+

JOHNSON Tony & Kathy 1973-75

https://pubwiki.co.uk/VonAlton.shtml

http://www.closedpubs.co.uk/vonalton.html

 

CensusCensus

 

If anyone should have any further information, or indeed any pictures or photographs of the above licensed premises, please email:-

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