37 Cast Iron Fence Posts Between Bridgeland Street And Bideford Bridge

There are 37 cast-iron fence posts located between Bridgeland Street and Bideford Bridge. Most of these posts are dated 1847, with one dated 1892, while the rest are undated. They share an identical design featuring tapered octagonal shafts with moulded caps and panelled sides. At the top of each post, there are holes that once held tubular iron bars, which have now been removed. Most posts also have mountings for rings at the bottom, although nearly all of these are broken off, likely intended to hold chains. The three posts closest to the bridge have holes at both the top and bottom, with the section next to the bridge now featuring 20th-century replacement bars. Many of the posts bear an inscription on one or two panels stating "IRON FOUNDERS BIDEFORD 1847," while some lack any inscription or date. The ninth post from the north is the one that has the date 1892. It is evident that the surface level of the quay has risen significantly over time, and it is likely that the founder's name is located on the buried sections of the posts. There is a gap in the middle of the series that aligns with the current working quay. The tubular bars appear to have been added after the quay was widened in 1899, with their installation confirmed by 1905. Historical photographs from the early 1880s depict chains hanging from the tops of the posts.