Union Workhouse and polices station at Caxton, Cambridgeshir
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Union Workhouse and polices station at Caxton, Cambridgeshir
The Caxton and Arrington Union workhouse (left) alongside a local police station on the Old North Road, Caxton, Cambridgeshire. Date: circa 1930
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 14147380
© Mary Evans/Peter Higginbotham Collection
Alongside Cambridgeshire Caxton Workhouse
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures the stark contrast between two institutions that once stood side by side on the Old North Road in Caxton, Cambridgeshire: the Caxton and Arrington Union Workhouse (left) and the local police station. Dating back to circa 1930, this image offers a glimpse into the past of this historic English village. The Union Workhouse, a large, imposing building with its distinctive red-brick facade, was a place of last resort for the destitute and the needy. Established during the Victorian era, it was designed to provide relief and shelter to the poor, the sick, and the elderly, who were separated from their families and forced to live in spartan conditions in exchange for minimal support. The workhouse system, which aimed to deter able-bodied individuals from becoming dependent on charity, was a controversial and often inhumane solution to poverty and social welfare. In stark contrast, the local police station, with its more modern, utilitarian design, represented the forces of law and order. The police, who were responsible for maintaining peace and security in the community, were a visible presence in Caxton and its surrounding areas. The presence of the police station served as a reminder that while the Union Workhouse provided a safety net for the most vulnerable members of society, it was also essential to ensure that law and order were upheld and that crime was prevented. Today, both buildings have been replaced by modern structures, but this photograph serves as a poignant reminder of the history and the complex social fabric of Caxton and its people during the early 20th century.
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