one
story runs that "in 1720 Sir Robert Walpole was returning from seeing
George I at Kingston and being in a hurry to get to the House of Commons rode
together with his servant to Putney to take the ferry across to Fulham but he
ferry boat was on the opposite side and the waterman, who was drinking in the
Swan, ignored the calls of Sir Robert and his servant and they were obliged to
take another route - Walpole vowed that a bridge would replace the ferry."
the Prince of Wales apparently "was often
inconvenienced by the ferry when returning from hunting in Richmond Park and
asked Walpole to use his influence by supporting the bridge."
construction of a bridge was first sanctioned
by an Act of Parliament in 1726. built by local master carpenter Thomas
Phillips to a design by architect Sir Jacob Acworth, the first bridge was
opened in November 1729, as a toll bridge, it featured tollbooths at either end
of the timber-built structure.[2]
the bridge was badly damaged by the collision
of a river barge in 1870. although part of the bridge was subsequently
replaced, soon the entire bridge would be demolished and in 1886 it was
replaced by the stone bridge that stands today
Putney
Bridge has a church at both ends: St. Mary's church, Putney is located on the
south bank and All Saints church, Fulham on the north bank. the bridge is often
very busy on Saturdays, when Fulham F.C. are playing at home, as this is the
main way for fans to cross the river.
in March 1953, British serial killer and
necrophiliac John Christie was finally arrested on Putney Bridge.
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