Pillar Gate
Two stone pillars flank the gate at the front of Eskdale Terrace, appropriately known as “Pillar Gate”. These are the oldest objects in the school, dating back to the 12th century when the Hospital of St. Mary the Virgin was built on Westgate Road. They originally formed the entrance to the Hospital buildings.
When the Hospital was demolished in 1844, the pillars were rescued from the old buildings by architect John Dobson (1787-1865), who helped redevelop Newcastle in the 1830s and designed Central Station. They remained in the garden of his house in New Bridge Street until 1924, when they were returned to the School.
They were presented to the school by a Mr McEwan, and the gates formally opened by the Lord Mayor. According to a report in Novo,
The whole School lined up outside the building and followed through the gate between the pillars, before gathering in the hall, where short addresses were given by the Lord Mayor and the Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor A. Lowe, an old boy of the School).
A third pillar remains on the original site, opposite Stephenson’s Monument. It bears a plaque detailing the historic links with the school.
The pillars are the only part of our school that has Grade II listed status.