Thames Crossings in 1900: Putney Bridge

This is what Arthur H. Beavan had to say about Putney Bridge in Imperial London, first published in 1901:

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Putney Bridge, one of the gracefullest of London's bridges, a "rainbow in stone," was opened in 1887 by the Prince and Princess of Wales, and replaced a quaint wooden structure that for a century had done its duty by obstructing the river traffic with its inefficient arches.

From this bridge one of the most natural bits of landscape within the limits of Greater London was obtained, in 1900.

It was best viewed from its centre, looking west.

One looked down upon the comely Bishop's Park and its picturesque old English lodge.

When the tide was almost up to the top of the embankment, there was a splendid stretch of water; and in summer "eights," "fours," "rumtums," "gigs," and white-winged yachts, added life and animation to the scene; while in winter, sea-gulls fearlessly hovered over the flotsam that had journeyed miles up stream.

Fulham Church - behind whose chancel sleeps Theodore Hook in the respectable company of sundry bishops - seemed to nestle up to the bridge; and, just beyond, Fulham Palace nearly succeeded in hiding itself amongst groups of ancient trees.

To the left were the boat-houses, marked out by their tall flagstaffs; and farther on was Barn Elms, whose Jacobean mansion and verdant links - where scarlet jacketed golfers followed their favourite pastime - was almost concealed by masses of lofty elms that reached far up the towing-path; while in the distance beyond was a faint vision of low hills and coppice, suggestive of open country.

It was in a "close" hard by Barn Elms, that a terrible encounter took place in Charles II's time, when six of his courtiers fought desperately with swords, and the infamous Lady Shrewsbury is said to have held the horse of the Duke of Buckingham, whose paramour she was, while that gentleman was engaged in the pleasant task of running her husband through the body.

Next: Thames Bridges in 1900: Hammersmith Bridge