The Sad, Woeful Story of Weston-Super-Mare

The Beginning
Located 17 miles southwest of Bristol in Somerset, Weston-super-Mare has been a tourist draw since the mid-19th century, when a railroad terminus was completed in the town. In 1904, local merchants, hoping to increase revenue, constructed the Grand Pier, which included a pavilion with a 2,000-seat theater for plays, musical acts and operas. After undergoing several upgrades and renovations, the structure was destroyed by a fire in January 1930. This photo, taken in 1954, shows the Grand Pier's second incarnation, developed by A. Brenner, who eventually added shops and an amusement arcade.

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