The Polygon, Southampton facts for kids
The Polygon is a cool area in the city of Southampton, England. It's a busy part of town with lots of history.
You can find The Polygon north of Western Esplanade and Commercial Road. It's also east of Hill Lane and west of Dorset Street. This area is home to Watts Park and the Southampton Central railway station. You'll also see the Southampton Courts of Justice and the Maritime & Coastguard Agency here. Many of the homes are old, beautiful red brick houses from the Edwardian era.
History of The Polygon
The name "Polygon" comes from a big plan made long ago. An architect named Jacob Leroux wanted to build a huge project here. It was going to be a twelve-sided shape, like a polygon, covering about 22 acres. This plan included houses, hotels, and places for people to meet.
Building started in 1768. But only one hotel and three houses were finished. One of the people investing in the project ran out of money. So, the big plan stopped. The first hotel opened in 1773, but it didn't do very well.
Later, in the Victorian era, many more houses were built. These new homes were typical of that time. They helped create the area and buildings we know as The Polygon today.
The first Polygon Hotel was taken down in the 1780s. A new Polygon Hotel was built in Victorian times. This hotel became a very famous place to stay in Southampton. Many well-known people stayed there. These guests included the boxer Muhammad Ali and comedians Tommy Cooper and Morecambe and Wise. Lots of passengers on the RMS Titanic also stayed at this hotel before their journey. The hotel eventually became old and was replaced in 1999. Now, a block of flats stands where the famous hotel once was.
Education in The Polygon
The Polygon area has several schools for young people. There is a secondary school called St Anne's Catholic School. For younger students, there is Springhill Catholic Primary School. The Polygon School is a special school for students with unique learning needs. You can also find Southampton Language College here, which helps people learn new languages.
Places to Visit in The Polygon
The Polygon is home to several interesting spots. You can visit St Edmunds Roman Catholic Church and St Marks Church Centre. Romero Halls of Residence is a place where students live. The area also includes the Southampton & New Forest Magistrates and the Southampton Courts of Justice. The Maritime & Coastguard Agency is also located here. For outdoor fun, there's Watts Park and The Polygon Park and Sandhurst Allotments. Bedford Place is another well-known spot in the area.
