Street

Origins and First Mentions

The history of the town of Street dates back to ancient times, and its name eloquently reflects its Roman heritage. It is derived from the Latin word strata, meaning "paved road." This refers to an important Roman path that passed through the area, connecting strategic points in the region.

The settlement was originally known by the Celtic name Lantokay. The first documentary evidence of Street as an established community dates back to the Middle Ages, when these lands were under the patronage of the powerful Glastonbury Abbey.

Key Factors of Formation

The town's development was determined by a unique combination of geography and infrastructure:

• Geographical Position: Street is located on a dry upland at the edge of the Somerset Levels. In ancient times, this provided a safe place for settlement near the marshy lowlands.
• Road Network: A key role was played by the proximity to the Roman road and the construction of a causeway in the 12th century, which connected Street to neighboring Glastonbury. This turned the settlement into an important transport hub.
• Religious Influence: The management of the lands by the monks of the Abbey ensured administrative order and the development of agriculture during the early period of the town's history.

Early Cultural and Economic Characteristics

Before the industrial boom began, Street's economy relied on the natural riches of the region. The main occupations of the inhabitants were agriculture and stone quarrying. Local quarries were famous for producing Blue Lias — a durable limestone used for building construction and road paving throughout the region. Interestingly, unique Jurassic fossils were often found within these rock layers.

The cultural character of early Street was shaped by the influence of the Quaker community. Their principles of hard work and temperance later played a decisive role in transforming the agrarian settlement into a world-renowned center of the footwear industry.

Key Milestones in the History of Street

• 12th Century — A stone causeway was built connecting Street with neighboring Glastonbury, providing a reliable route across the marshy terrain.
• 1825 — Brothers Cyrus and James Clark founded a sheepskin rug and slipper business, marking the beginning of the world-famous Clarks shoe company.
• Mid-19th Century — Unique ichthyosaur fossils were found in the local quarries, drawing the attention of geologists and paleontologists to the town.
• 1863 — Sewing machines began to be used at the Clarks factory, marking the transition from manual labor to industrial production.
• 1885 — Crispin Hall opened, built as a community center and library for the education of the town's residents.
• 1887 — The Clock Tower was erected in the town center to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria's reign.
• 1908 — The Clark family donated land to the town to create Victoria Park, which became the main recreation spot for residents.
• 1935 — Millfield School was founded; originally created for the education of the children of Maharajas, it is now a prestigious private educational institution.
• 1937 — Greenbank Pool opened; built in the Art Deco style with funds from Alice Clark, it was intended to improve the health of women and children.
• 1963 — With the support of the Clark Family Trust, the Strode Theatre opened, becoming an important cultural venue for the region.
• 1993 — Clarks Village opened on the site of the old factory buildings, becoming the first outlet shopping center in the UK.

Stages of Development and Their Significance for the Town

The evolution of Street is an example of how a settlement can harmoniously combine industrial growth with high social standards. Here are the key milestones that defined the modern face of the town:

• Construction of the Causeway (12th Century)
  The construction of a stone embankment across the marshlands connected Street with Glastonbury Abbey. This event brought the settlement out of isolation, turning it into an important transit point and trade hub for the region, laying the foundation for future economic growth.
• Founding of the Clark Dynasty (1825)
  The establishment of a sheepskin rug and slipper business by brothers Cyrus and James Clark was a turning point. This decision determined the town's economic destiny for two centuries to come, transforming an agrarian village into an industrial center of global significance.
• Social Urban Planning (Late 19th Century)
  As Quakers, the factory owners reinvested profits into the urban environment. The construction of housing for workers, a library, and the Crispin Hall community center formed a unique urban structure where industry coexisted with care for the residents' welfare.
• Educational Expansion (1935)
  The founding of Millfield School diversified the town's image. From a purely factory-based settlement, Street evolved into a prestigious educational center attracting students from all over the world, providing a new impetus to the local economy.
• Development of the Cultural Environment (1960s)
  The opening of the Strode Theatre at the college established the town's status as the cultural capital of central Somerset. This allowed residents to access art and education without having to travel to major metropolises.
• Revitalization of Industrial Heritage (1993)
  The opening of Clarks Village, the UK's first outlet shopping center, on the site of the old factory buildings was a salvation for the town during the era of deindustrialization. This decision allowed for the preservation of historical architecture and reoriented the economy from manufacturing to tourism and the service sector.

Architectural Character and Urban Planning

The architecture of Street is a unique chronicle of a small rural settlement’s transformation into a thriving industrial hub. Unlike the haphazard development seen in many English towns, Street's expansion was largely regulated by the Clark family. As Quakers, they sought to create a harmonious environment where industrial buildings stood alongside green spaces and high-quality housing, giving the town the characteristics of a "garden city."

The Stone That Sets the Tone

The town's signature feature is Blue Lias — a local variety of limestone quarried nearby. It is this material that gives the historical center its distinctive blue-gray hue. Everything from modest workers' cottages to grand public buildings is constructed from it, creating a unified visual ensemble that ties different eras together.

Main Architectural Eras and Styles

Strolling through the town streets, one can trace the succession of architectural movements, each leaving its mark on Street's appearance:

• Victorian Industrial Architecture (19th Century)
  The complex of the former shoe factory (now Clarks Village) takes center stage. It is a classic example of industrial architecture from that era: massive walls of local stone, large windows to provide natural light for the workshops, and strict functionality. A symbol of this period is also the Neo-Gothic Clock Tower, erected in 1887.
• Civic Architecture and Neo-Gothic
  A striking example is Crispin Hall. The building combines elements of Victorian Gothic with high gables and pointed arches. It was intended as a community center and stands out from the more utilitarian residential buildings due to its decorative nature.
• Social Housing (Late 19th — Early 20th Century)
  Streets such as Wilfrid Road are lined with terraced houses for workers. However, unlike the cramped rows found in large industrial cities, these houses in Street were built more spaciously, often with front gardens, reflecting the factory owners' concern for their employees' well-being.
• Art Deco (1930s)
  An unexpected but impressive element of the urban environment is the Greenbank Pool. Its smooth lines, geometric precision, and white facades are a textbook example of Art Deco style, bringing an atmosphere of resort-like lightness to the town's austere stone appearance.
• Modern Revitalization (Late 20th — 21st Century)
  The modern stage of Street's development is characterized by a careful reinterpretation of heritage. The conversion of old factory buildings into outlet shopping galleries is a prime example of how historic industrial buildings can be adapted for new functions while preserving their authentic appearance.

Notable Figures Associated with the Town

The history of Street is inextricably linked with the activities of the Clark family, who transformed a small village into an industrial center, as well as with the names of cultural and historical figures who found their home here.

• Cyrus Clark (1801–1866)
  Entrepreneur and Dynasty Founder
  Together with his brother, he laid the foundations of the Clarks shoe empire. Initially involved in sheepskin processing and rug making, his business became the foundation for the town's economic prosperity for centuries to come.
• James Clark (1811–1906)
  Company Co-founder and Inventor
  Cyrus's younger brother, who came up with the revolutionary idea of using sheepskin offcuts to make warm slippers. This invention, named the "Brown Petersburg," became the factory's first commercial success and defined Street's specialization in footwear.
• William Stephens Clark (1839–1925)
  Industrialist and Social Reformer
  Son of James Clark, who modernized production by introducing Singer sewing machines. He is known not only as a businessman but also as a philanthropist who built high-quality homes, a school, and public buildings for workers, shaping the modern look of the town center.
• Alice Clark (1874–1934)
  Historian, Feminist, and Social Activist
  A member of the Clark family who actively fought for women's rights and suffrage. Author of the seminal work "Working Life of Women in the Seventeenth Century." She did much to improve the social living conditions for women in Street.
• Laurence Housman (1865–1959)
  Playwright, Author, and Illustrator
  Brother of the famous poet A.E. Housman. He lived in Street for the last 35 years of his life. An active pacifist and supporter of women's equality, he founded the local arts society and had a significant influence on the town's cultural life.
• Clemence Housman (1861–1955)
  Writer, Engraver, and Suffragette
  Sister of Laurence Housman, who lived with him in Street. Known as a talented illustrator and an active participant in the suffrage movement. She created banners for women's marches and contributed to the development of arts and crafts in the region.
• Nathan Clark (1916–2011)
  Designer and Innovator
  Great-grandson of James Clark. While serving in the army in Burma, he noticed the comfortable boots worn by officers, which inspired him to create the legendary "Desert Boots." This model brought the company worldwide fame in the mid-20th century.
• Harry Patch (1898–2009)
  World War I Veteran
  Known as "The Last Fighting Tommy," he was the last surviving trench combat veteran of the British Army. Patch spent the final years of his life in a care home in Street, becoming a symbol of remembrance and pacifism for the entire nation.