My memories of the Monty, go back to about 1940, This was a wonderful building that was located only about 2 or 3 minutes from my home, it was built at the top of Atherton Street and on the corner of Saint George's Mount. As I have mentioned I remember the place vividly from the early 40's. I myself was born in 1937, so I guess that the start of my recollection would be in those early years of the second world war.
If my memory serves me correctly the Monty was occupied by United States troops, during those war years, as were a great many large homes in that area, but when the war was over it became abandoned, and for the likes of us young children it was indeed a great source of adventure, In fact a long lost childhood friend of mine made contact with me 2 years ago, from Tasmania and the first comment was to remind me of the Montebello.
The Montebello as I have said was located at the top of Atherton Street overlooking the River Mersey as it opened out into the Irish Sea. It was a very large home with gardens that were on three different levels, due to the steepness of Atherton Street. I wish that I could think of the acreage that the property covered, to us small kids it was wonderful, and seemed to be so large, but what I had thought was large back then seems so small since I moved here to the States in 1968.
The picture that you have is of the side of the property on St George's Mount, the other side was as I mentioned on Atherton street. The Atherton Side had high sandstone walls , and the bottom of the property backed on to some homes on St James Road, off of which was and still is Pickering Road. If you would like a map of the area I will gladly scan from a mapbook that I have. Funny thing is that as I am writing this letter my left elbow is starting to ache and I am writing with my right hand, I guess it is because, when I was about 8 or 9 years old we were playing around and I was climbing over one of the gates at the Monty when I fell and broke my left arm, I had to go in hospital and missed my vacation to Wales.
Yes indeed the Montebello has some great memories for me. It was knocked down in the early 50's and homes were built on all three of the levels of the original property. I hope that some of this gibberish helps you in your search of the past.
Cheers
Alex in Yorktown Virginia
. . . Perhaps these two gentlemen played together as children? . . . read on
If I recall correctly, I believe we lived next door to the Montebello. As a lead in to that story, we were living in Wallasey opposite to Central Park at the time the War started in 1939. We were bombed out of our home in 1940,( I was 6) , and we moved to Liverpool. It was probably the only home my parents could find at that time, but in 1945 we moved back to New Brighton to live at the "Slopes" St Georges Mount.
"The Slopes" was originally built in the 1800's by a wealthy Liverpool grain merchant and was a huge building, as was Montebello next door. The Wallasey Town Council had either purchased or acquired the "Slopes" toward the end of the War, and turned it into Flats or, as we call it, apartments, three on each side.
The Montebello was also converted into flats, but I do not know if it was owned by the Town Council, or a private individual. The occupant of one of the flats at the Montebello were the Headliners for many years, at the theater on the promenade in New Brighton, I think it was called the "Crystal Palace." Unfortunately I do not remember thier names.
The Montebello had a very large area in the back of the home that had been let go, and as a young kid with my buddies we used to sneak over there and play. It also had a short tunnel, which was great for kissing girls!!
The last time we were in Wallasey was in 1989, and the Slopes was still standing, but I seem to recall that the Montecello had been replaced by single dwelling homes. I know it was still there when I was back in 1975.
On a personal note, I emigrated to the United States in 1958 and have never looked back. We are planning a trip back in late 2000 or early 2001, and had intended to take a look at the Slopes where I passed some of my happiest days. I will keep you in my follow up file and let you know if I can find anything more about the Monticello. Incidentally as a matter of interest, our Family Tree has been traced back to 1086. The originater was Levanus Leavathuros, Lord of the Manors of Hathersage, Bakewell and Edonson.
If I can give you any further information, or if you can share any with me, please do not hesitate to contact me.
"Thank you for your email. I can tell you that St. Georges Mount is still here as my children attend the school at the top of it! As for the house I am not sure as some of the larger houses were demolished some years ago. If you could send me a scan of the picture, I would be able to tell you for sure. [I sent the picture and am still waiting for a reply as of June 30, 1999
"As for the name of your great, great Grandfather [Charles William Harrison Pickering] well, there is a connection to one street name and a possible connection to another. i.e. not far from St. Georges Mount is Pickering Road, I looked this up in 'Almost an Island - The Story of Wallasey' and it does state that Pickering Road was named after Mr. Pickering who lived in "Montebello" on St. Georges Mount. At the far end of the prom [promenade] is Harrison Park and Harrison Drive. Local history books would be able to tell you more information than I can."
Diane, New Brighton
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