Corn Exchange, Tonbridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Corn Exchange |
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| Tonbridge | |
The Corn Exchange
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 The Corn Exchange
Location within Kent
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| Coordinates | 51°11′51″N 0°16′29″E / 51.19761°N 0.27466°E |
| Type | Drill hall |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1791 |
| Built for | War Office |
| In use | 1791-Present |
The Corn Exchange is a historic building in Tonbridge, Kent. It has been used for many different things over the years. It started as a church, then became a place for trading grain, and later a military base. You can find it on Bank Street, which used to be called Back Street.
A Building with Many Lives
This building has a long and interesting history. It has changed its purpose several times since it was first built.
From Chapel to Corn Exchange
The building was first built as a church. It was for a group called the Independent Congregationalists. People called it the "Independent Chapel." It was finished on March 19, 1791. The building is made of red bricks.
The front of the building has three main sections. The middle section has a small porch with four columns. The windows on the sides have pointed tops. The top of the building has a triangle shape called a pediment. Inside this triangle is a round panel with a special three-leaf design. The building was made bigger in 1847.
In 1876, the church group moved to a new place. The building then became the local Corn Exchange. This was a place where farmers and traders bought and sold grain, like wheat or corn. But later, people used corn exchanges less and less. This was because of a tough time for farming in the late 1800s.
A Military Base
In 1910, the building changed again. It became the main office for the 4th Battalion of The Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment. This was a part of the British Army. The Kent Cyclist Battalion also used the building at this time.
When World War I started in August 1914, the 4th Battalion got ready for war at this building. They were then sent to India.
Later, in 1947, the 4th Battalion joined with another group to form the 4th/5th Battalion. In 1967, the army reduced its presence there. Only a small group, E Company, 5th (Volunteer) Battalion, The Queen's Regiment, remained. After that, the building was no longer used by the military. It was then changed to be used for businesses.
See also
- Corn exchanges in England
