A Gas works is visible in this location on historic OS maps of Dover dating to the later years of the 19th and early 20th century. On the First Edition OS (1862-75) there are two gas holders, but by the time the Second Edition was surveyed (1897-1900) this had been converted into one larger container. By the time the Fourth Edition had been completed (1929-52) the works had been removed. (1-4)

The gas works in this location are likely the first to have been constructed in the town; Bavington Jones writes: “The first gas works were erected at the seaward end of Trevanion Street, and were sufficiently advanced for the central part of Dover to be lighted with gas in the year 1823. During the first 27 years of the company's operations the average dividend paid was £4 10s. per cent., and at the end of that period the price of gas was 7/6 per 1000 feet. Earlier, the price had been 12/- per 1000, and even higher.” (5)

J. Bavington Jones, 1907, Dover; A Perambulation of the Town, Port and Fortress. (Monograph). SKE32120.

<1> Landmark, Ordnance Survey 1:2,500 map (OS 1st edition 1862-1875): Landmark Epoch 1 (Map). SKE30964.

<2> Landmark, Ordnance Survey 1:2,500 map (OS 2nd Edition, 1897-1900): Landmark Epoch 2 (Map). SKE30965.

<3> Landmark, 1907-1923, Ordnance Survey 1:2,500 map (OS 3rd Edition, 1907-1923): Landmark Epoch 3 (Map). SKE30966.

<4> Landmark, Ordnance Survey 1:2,500 map (OS 4th Edition, 1929-1952): Landmark Epoch 4 (Map). SKE30967.