Rawlins Cross, St. John's
Encyclopedia
Rawlins Cross, formed by the intersection of Prescott Street, Monkstown and Military Roads, is a well known St. John's
, Newfoundland and Labrador
landmark. Military Road, built in 1773, was one of the first roads in this area that joined Fort William with Fort Townsend. Monkstown Road was built in the early 19th century and Prescott Street around 1840. The area where all three came together became to be known as Rawlins Cross, after grocer Patrick Rawlins.
Rawlins Cross has been home to many businesses that lasted for many years; the most noteworthy was O'Mara-Martin Drugs, established in 1892. In 1895 W.J. Murphy's grocery established a presence there. It is the site of the first traffic light
for the city; it was manually operated by a police constable. A commemorative plaque for the St. John's Electric Light Company is located at Rawlins Cross, although the business was established on nearby Flavin Street in 1885.
One distinct feature in this area is the vast differences in the styles of houses on either side of the intersection, On one side you have large mansions now selling for upwards of one million dollars, and on the other side of the intersection as you move closer to downtown
and the harbour you have small row houses. This is because back in the late 19th century and 20th century these houses belonged to merchants and fishermen, the merchants lived in the large mansions while the fishermen who were kept poor by the merchants lived in the small row houses.
A popular Newfoundland
Irish band, Rawlins Cross
, has taken its name from this St. John's landmark.
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of 192,326 as of July 1, 2010, the St...
, Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
landmark. Military Road, built in 1773, was one of the first roads in this area that joined Fort William with Fort Townsend. Monkstown Road was built in the early 19th century and Prescott Street around 1840. The area where all three came together became to be known as Rawlins Cross, after grocer Patrick Rawlins.
Rawlins Cross has been home to many businesses that lasted for many years; the most noteworthy was O'Mara-Martin Drugs, established in 1892. In 1895 W.J. Murphy's grocery established a presence there. It is the site of the first traffic light
Traffic light
Traffic lights, which may also be known as stoplights, traffic lamps, traffic signals, signal lights, robots or semaphore, are signalling devices positioned at road intersections, pedestrian crossings and other locations to control competing flows of traffic...
for the city; it was manually operated by a police constable. A commemorative plaque for the St. John's Electric Light Company is located at Rawlins Cross, although the business was established on nearby Flavin Street in 1885.
One distinct feature in this area is the vast differences in the styles of houses on either side of the intersection, On one side you have large mansions now selling for upwards of one million dollars, and on the other side of the intersection as you move closer to downtown
Downtown St. John's
Downtown St. John's is the historic core and central business district of St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Located north of St. John's harbour, it is the business, entertainment, and tourism centre with office buildings, hotels, restaurants, and other services.The historic boundaries...
and the harbour you have small row houses. This is because back in the late 19th century and 20th century these houses belonged to merchants and fishermen, the merchants lived in the large mansions while the fishermen who were kept poor by the merchants lived in the small row houses.
A popular Newfoundland
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
Irish band, Rawlins Cross
Rawlins Cross
Rawlins Cross is a Canadian Celtic band. With members from Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Ontario, the band took its name from an intersection in St. John's, Newfoundland.-Formation and early history:Rawlins Cross was formed in St...
, has taken its name from this St. John's landmark.