Scotston Avenue in St Albans – Formerly Worcester Street. Named after Worcester in England, the county of origin of the early landholder, Thomas Bennett Tomes (1821?- 1875). Re-named Scotston Avenue. This was derived from Scottston or Scotstown, the name given to the block of land when owned by William Thomson (1818-1866). Tomes, a grazier, bought Rural Section 276, 50 acres in Papanui Road. He was formerly of Cleeve Prior, Worcestershire. His son, John Bennett Tomes (1854?- 1914) advertises land for rent on Scotson Farm, Papanui Road, in 1881. Worcester Street is first mentioned in the Star in 1882 and in street directories in 1892. Mrs John Tomes is a resident. Re-named Scotston Avenue in 1913. Thomson was the Provincial Auditor who had emigrated from Scotland. This land was later bought by Thomas Ingham Joynt (1830-1907), Provincial Solicitor. A Papanui war memorial street. [When the kerb and channel was renewed in 2008 efforts were made to retain the appeal of the liquidamber trees so they could remain a WW2 memorial for the community.]
A large amount of information from the library website. This is from the old library website and the new library website for streets has less information.
On Papers Past there were huge number of entries for Worcester St but most were for the Worcester St in the Central City. The only entries that I could find for this Worcester St was for sections for sale between 1884 and 1898. The first entry that I could find for Scotston Ave was in 1912. Several death notices including ones for John Bennett Tomes and wife of the late George Brett. There were entries for best garden competition from 1930s onwards, A couple of large properties were sold in the 1940s.
William Thomson died in 1866 aged 48. He had a military style funeral because he had been a Captain in the Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry. In 1866 the property called Scotstown was for sale in 1866 and as William Thomson was born in Scotland this would be a reason for the name of his property. There is also a hamlet called Scotstown in Scotland.
This tree lined street runs between Tomes Rd and Mays Rd. A few houses date from 1920 plus one dated from 1910. Several houses were built between 1960 and 1980 with one house built in 2000.
I walked this pleasant street on Tuesday afternoon and I liked the older houses and I almost liked the modern house. Managed to get a photo of the oldest and newest houses together. This is also a War Memorial street.
Lytteltonwitch's Walking the streets of Christchurch Project 