Never-before-seen photographs are unearthed showing the public opening of Tower Bridge, 130 years ago. 

Hidden gems

In the depths of his family’s attic, Patrick Cruttwell Molineux stumbled upon hidden treasures long forgotten by time.

Amongst the dust of two archive boxes of family papers, he uncovered some rare documents: candid photographs of Tower Bridge’s construction, intimate letters exchanged between architectural giants, and more.

Each discovery reveals a forgotten chapter of history meticulously preserved by his great-grandfather, Edward Cruttwell.

An amazing discovery

With each document and photograph, a remarkable tale unfolds, shedding light on Edward’s pivotal role in the construction of one of the UK’s most celebrated landmarks, Tower Bridge. We interviewed Patrick to hear more about the discovery.

Edward Cruttwell, known colloquially as George Edward Wilson Cruttwell, served as the Resident Engineer on Tower Bridge, a fact often overshadowed by the Bridge’s more famous Engineer, Sir John Wolfe Barry.

Yet, his contributions were monumental, as Patrick recounts, “Edward was the man in sole charge of the building of it from its inception.”

More about Edward Cruttwell

What was found

Among the treasures found were letters from architectural luminaries Sir John Wolfe Barry and Henry Marc Brunel, appointing Edward Cruttwell to oversee the Bridge’s construction. Patrick reflects on the significance of these findings, noting, “These really were important papers for the history of Tower Bridge.”

There are press cuttings that Edward cut out and pasted into a scrapbook about Tower Bridge. There are his account books from the 1920s that show everything that he spent money on – he spent rather a lot at Harrods.

However, it wasn’t just official correspondence that filled the archives. Candid photographs offered a glimpse into Tower Bridge’s early days. Patrick marvels at their authenticity, remarking, “They show more reality of the bridge than perhaps the staged photos of the Prince and Princess of Wales opening it.”

Before this collection was found, we had no photographic evidence of the public opening of Tower Bridge in 1894.

A legacy

Armed with this newfound knowledge, Patrick and his family are determined to ensure Edward Cruttwell’s legacy receives the recognition it deserves. “Our interest is in ensuring these are widely seen,” Patrick affirms, “and in remembering our great-grandfather whose name perhaps isn’t as well known.”

As Tower Bridge stands tall, a symbol of London’s rich history, the story of Edward Cruttwell serves as a poignant reminder of the countless unsung heroes whose contributions shaped the world we know today.

After the discovery of these amazing photographs, the team set off to discover more about them, with the help of experts and institutions in London and beyond.

Speaking with The London Archives and Royal Armouries, Tower Bridge Historian Dirk Bennett lifts the lid on the early stages of research, shedding a light on this exciting time in London, and who was there to witness it.

What a difference 130 years makes.

Taken over a century apart, on 9 July 1894 and 2024, the photos below capture the changing view of London from Tower Bridge.

Celebrating both our rich history and the communities that make up our great city today, this recreation represents the 140,000 people that came in 1894 to welcome their newest landmark, and the thousands of people who use and visit Tower Bridge today.

Featuring pupils from Tower Bridge Primary School and members of The Princes Trust, Black Prince Trust, Latin America Disabled People’s Project, City of London Police Project Servator Team, The Bike Project, Hackney Shed, City of London Board Members, London Metropolitan Archive, Patrick Molineux, Social Pantry, Tower Bridge staff and contractors and the team at City Bridge Foundation.