George Tapps-Gervis facts for kids
Sir George William Tapps-Gervis, 2nd Baronet (born May 24, 1795 – died August 26, 1842) was an important British politician and a smart land developer. He is best known for helping to create the famous seaside town of Bournemouth.
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Who Was Sir George Tapps-Gervis?
Sir George William Tapps-Gervis was the only son of Sir George Tapps, who was the 1st Baronet of Hinton Admiral. A "Baronet" is a special title, like a knight, that can be passed down in a family. When his father passed away in 1835, young George inherited his family's large estate.
A Vision for Bournemouth
After taking over the family lands, Sir George had a big idea. He wanted to turn the quiet seaside village of Bournemouth into a popular holiday resort. He imagined it would be like other successful coastal towns that already existed, such as Weymouth and Brighton.
To make his dream happen, he hired a talented architect named Benjamin Ferrey from Christchurch. Ferrey's job was to design and plan how Bournemouth would grow from a small village into a bustling resort.
Early Buildings in Bournemouth
The first big building project on Sir George's land was called the Westover Villas. These were built between 1837 and 1840. They were designed as holiday homes that families could rent during the summer months. These villas faced the newly created Westover Gardens, which offered beautiful green spaces.
The first two hotels in Bournemouth opened in 1838. One was the Bath Hotel, which later became the famous Royal Bath. The original building was much smaller than the grand hotel you see today. The other hotel was the Belle Vue Boarding House. This building stood where the Pavilion is now located and later became known as the Belle Vue and Pier Hotel.
Sir George's Political Life
Besides being a land developer, Sir George William Tapps-Gervis was also a Member of Parliament (MP). An MP is a person elected by the public to represent them in the country's government, making laws and discussing important issues.
He served as an MP for two different areas:
- He represented New Romney from 1826 to 1830.
- He then represented Christchurch from 1832 to 1837.
His Final Years
Sir George William Tapps-Gervis passed away on August 26, 1842, due to a sudden illness. His death was officially recorded later, on February 14, 1844. His work helped lay the foundation for Bournemouth to become the popular seaside town it is today.
