Cross House
Cross House was built as a mansion in the 17th Century and was once the home of Ralph Carr who founded the first bank in Newcastle in 1755. It was then the vicarage for St Johns Church before being demolished to make way for the widening of Westgate Road and then rebuilt in 1911.
In 1919 Cross House was used as office accommodation and one of the tenants was Famous Laskey Film Services. On 23 December a fire broke out in the basement where celluloid film was stored, the fire spread to the upper floors through the lift shaft and workers were trapped. Two typists jumped to their deaths as the fire took hold, a total of 11 people lost their lives. The fire brigade eventually arrived but to the horror of the crowd on the pavement below their ladder did not reach the top floor where many of the office workers were now trapped, their only escape now was to jump from the building into sheets and blankets held by the firemen, the last two people to be rescued were helped to safety by a fireman called Thomas Brown using a hook ladder. He was later awarded the Albert Medal for his bravery.
In 1919 Cross House was used as office accommodation and one of the tenants was Famous Laskey Film Services. On 23 December a fire broke out in the basement where celluloid film was stored, the fire spread to the upper floors through the lift shaft and workers were trapped. Two typists jumped to their deaths as the fire took hold, a total of 11 people lost their lives. The fire brigade eventually arrived but to the horror of the crowd on the pavement below their ladder did not reach the top floor where many of the office workers were now trapped, their only escape now was to jump from the building into sheets and blankets held by the firemen, the last two people to be rescued were helped to safety by a fireman called Thomas Brown using a hook ladder. He was later awarded the Albert Medal for his bravery.
Joseph Cowen
In front of Cross House stands the statue of Joseph Cowen (1829-1900).
Joseph Cowen was an MP for Newcastle in 1874, he championed the Co-Operative movement and helped to bring the first Co-Op stores to Newcastle, he founded the Evening Chronicle, was a supported of adult education and built the Tyne Theatre and Opera House. His statue which was paid for by public subscription, was sculpted by John Tweed in 1906.
Joseph Cowen was an MP for Newcastle in 1874, he championed the Co-Operative movement and helped to bring the first Co-Op stores to Newcastle, he founded the Evening Chronicle, was a supported of adult education and built the Tyne Theatre and Opera House. His statue which was paid for by public subscription, was sculpted by John Tweed in 1906.
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