Another of the collection of boarded up attractive buildings in St Hildas, although allegedy it will be made-over (that report is two years old already)

 

The Customs House was built between 1835 -1837 (depending on your sources) and designed by George Burlison, it was initially the home of the Middlesbrough Exchange Association.

On 29th October 1838 it held a banquet in honour of the Duke of Sussex, who was the first royal visitor to Middlesbrough.

In 1853 the council bought the building and it became Corporation Hall before becoming the Customs House in 1886 when the newer town hall was built.

 

It also houses a plaque to William Fallows “The Father of Middlesbrough” who was the 6th Mayor of Middlesbrough and a major influence on the development of religious facilities, education and public works including baths and wash houses. 

I found some old council meeting minutes from 2000 that proposed erecting a statue in his honour, does anyone know if it ever came to light ?

Update May 2012 :
The building has now been rennovated and looks very smart, however it still stands surrounded by tatty units and derelict houses.

Designed by William Lambie Moffatt and opened in 1846 the original town hall has been boarded up and neglected for years, but at least its not gone like everything else in the area. The new town hall was not completed until 1889.

 

 

It was here that Gladstone declared Middlesbrough “an infant hercules”. It also features in a 1959 painting by L S Lowry along with the demolished St Hildas Church