| Summary : Cannon Street mainline station was built in 1866 by the South Eastern Railway in order to gain access to the City. Designed by Sir John Hawkshaw, the 190-ft span arched trainshed abutted on to Hawkshaw's bridge across the Thames, flanked by two Baroque towers containing water tanks for the hydraulic lifts. The eight platforms, later nine, were built on arches. At the front, the City Terminus Hotel was designed by E M Barry. It was converted into railway offices in 1931. After remodelling and electrification by the Southern Railway in 1926 the station reverted to eight platforms. During World War II the trainshed and hotel suffered from severe bomb damage, the the former being dismatled, leaving only the arcaded walls and the towers, and the latter being demolished altogether. In 1965 a 15-storey office block replaced the hotel, and a new entrance and concourse were opened in 1974. In 1991 another office block was built over the platforms. Underground services arrived at Cannon Street in 1884 when the Circle line as we know it today was finally finished, by connecting Mansion House and Mark Lane (later renamed Tower Hill). This part of the line was built jointly between the District and Metropolitan with intermediate stations provided at Cannon Street and Eastcheap (now Monument). |